Providence makes surprising move, fires head coach after 4-0 start

Tyler Plantz has been dismissed as Providence’s head football coach, effective immediately.

Providence announced the move in a statement that was sent to people associated with the school and shared with the Daily Southtown on Sunday.

The statement said the school was “announcing a transition in the leadership of its football program, as Tyler Plantz will no longer be serving as our head coach.”

Offensive coordinator Adam Nissen has been named the interim head coach.

The stunning move in the middle of the season will likely come as a major surprise to many, especially with the Celtics off to a 4-0 start. The statement addressed that.

“We understand that a change in leadership during a season can bring questions and emotions for our student-athletes and families,” the statement said. “Our priority is to provide our players with consistency, support and a positive environment as they move forward together.

“Our coaching staff and school administration are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for our students.”

Plantz, a Providence graduate who played at Notre Dame, took over as the Celtics’ head coach in 2022 and was 35-19. He led Providence to a Class 4A runner-up finish in his first season and second place last fall in 5A.

The Celtics beat Carmel 31-7 on Friday night to remain undefeated and are set to take on Nazareth (1-3) at 6 p.m. Friday in LaGrange Park.

Nissen joined the Celtics’ staff last season after serving as the head coach at St. Laurence from 2019 to 2024. He went 35-28 with the Vikings, leading them to a Class 4A runner-up finish in 2023.

Plantz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.