Whitson's out at Mundelein

Mundelein's football team was seemingly on the rise three years ago.

The Mustangs earned a state playoff berth for just the second time in their history and first-year coach Dave Whitson had built a winning program before.

On Wednesday, after three straight losing seasons, Whitson stepped down.

"I think a change will be better for the kids," Whitson said.

"I just think Mundelein needs a change."

Whitson needs one, too.

Disappointed with the current state of the program and a lack of support from certain people in the administration and parents, he decided to submit his resignation.

Whitson lost one-third of his coaching staff following his first year, and the freshman team has just 1 win in the last three seasons.

"When I came here, I wanted to have a family atmosphere," Whitson said, "and that hasn't happened."

Whitson added that his health also factored into his decision.

"I've gained a lot of weight since coming over here," he said.

Whitson informed his players Wednesday of his decision to resign.

"Some were shocked, some were disappointed, and I think some knew," Whitson said. "My son didn't like it."

Whitson's son, Bryan, was on the varsity this fall and will be a senior next year. Giving up the chance to coach his son his senior year wasn't easy.

"That was real tough," Whitson said. "It was probably the toughest decision I had to make, because I never want to walk out on anyone. But at the same time, if you walk out, you walk out for the right reason."

While he no longer will coach the football team, Whitson plans on staying at Mundelein as a physical education and driver education teacher. He moved his family to Mundelein following his first year at the school.

Whitson arrived at Mundelein in 2004 with a coaching background that included a successful run at Prairie Ridge. After Whitson's Wolves went 1-8 in their inaugural season in 1997, they posted records of 5-4, 6-4, 8-2 and 10-2 -- qualifying for the state playoffs the last three years.

Led by star Jake Gaebler, Mundelein posted a 5-4 regular-season mark in Whitson's first season in 2004 and nearly upset Libertyville in the first round of the playoffs. Libertyville went on to win the Class 7A state title with a 14-0 record.

But Mundelein went 3-6 the following year and 2-7 the next season. The Mustangs posted a 3-6 record this fall.

Depending on who the school hires as its new coach, Whitson said he wouldn't mind serving as an assistant or helping out any way he can.

"I still think I have a lot to offer and have a lot of knowledge," Whitson said.

"I've always told the kids and this has been my motto, 'Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow.' "