Countdown to prep football: Seven of the area’s new football coaches

A new batch of coaches will be prowling the sidelines this fall.

The Daily Herald’s countdown to prep football continues as each week we bring you insight related to the 2026 football campaign for teams, players and coaches throughout our coverage area. We’ll reach No. 1 on Aug. 21 — opening night for the season.

So far we’ve listed 10 of the area’s top senior recruits, nine juniors to watch and eight quarterbacks on our radar. Now we’re breaking down the ones taking care of the Xs and Os.

Let’s take a look at seven of the area’s new head football coaches.

Chad Bobbit, Palatine

Bobbit, a 2010 Palatine graduate, replaces Corey Olson, who stepped down after leading the Pirates to playoff berths the last five seasons.

A former Mid-Suburban League defensive player of the year, Bobbit returned to the program in 2015. He’s spent the last 11 seasons working with the defense, special teams and offensive line.

How deep are Bobbit’s roots with Palatine? His father was a teacher and coach with the Pirates, and his mother just retired from working in the school’s main office.

Braden Foster, Hampshire

A standout at Carmel Catholic and a former offensive lineman at Iowa State, Foster comes to Hampshire after serving as Mundelein’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

Foster was named Hampshire’s coach to replace Shane Haak, the Whip-Purs coach for three seasons.

Foster’s mission? Get the program back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Colton Jewell, Vernon Hills

Jewell, a 2016 Lakes graduate, takes the helm from Bill Bellecomo, who compiled a 55-57 record in 12 seasons that included four playoff appearances and a runner-up finish in Class 5A in 2016.

Jewell was recently an assistant at St. Patrick under former Buffalo Grove all-state quarterback Tom Zbikowski.

Justin Kerwin, Glenbard North

An offensive lineman on the Panthers’ Class 6A runner-up team in 2000, Kerwin was an assistant coach during the team’s second-place 8A finish in 2012.

Now, taking the reins from longtime head coach Ryan Wilkens, Kerwin aims to bring the program back to the title game.

A former Marine who served in Iraq, Kerwin returned to Glenbard North and spent time as the program’s sophomore coach.

Brent Pitt, Grayslake Central

A familiar face will be taking over for Brent Pearlman, who went 4-5 in each of his three seasons. Pitt has been an assistant coach with the Rams for more than two decades and has been the head boys track and field coach for 23 years.

Once a struggling program that failed to make the playoffs for eight straight seasons, Grayslake Central qualified two seasons in a row before knocking on the door the last three years.

Justin Swider, Wheaton Academy

Swider’s played a major role in transforming the Warriors’ athletic program as an assistant football coach, head baseball coach and assistant athletic director. He’s also coached wrestling at the school.

Swider spent 12 years assisting Brad Thornton and, most recently, Jim Johanik through seven playoff appearances, including a semifinal run in Class 4A in 2023.

Dragan Teonic, Lake Zurich

Ron Planz stepped down after seven seasons and is now the offensive coordinator at Barrington.

In steps Teonic, who coached South Elgin to the playoffs five times before leaving after the 2023 season. He has two decades of coaching experience at the high school — he was also the head coach at Hersey and Larkin — and college levels.