W. Chicago’s Reinke resigns

After three years at the helm, Paul Reinke is stepping down as West Chicago’s football coach.

Reinke cited a desire to spend more time with his young family when he announced his decision to the team Friday afternoon.

“I enjoyed it immensely, but it’s time for me to be a better father and husband,” said Reinke, who is married with sons aged 4 years and 14 months. “We’re both working parents, and with me coaching she’s been left to do a lot more of the work.”

West Chicago went 0-9 in Reinke’s first year in 2009 before posting back-to-back 1-8 seasons. The Wildcats broke a 19-game DuPage Valley Conference losing streak with this season’s 28-21 win over Glenbard East in Week 7.

Wildcats athletic director Doug Mullaney expressed gratitude for Reinke’s dedication to the program the last three years.

“I will miss him and West Chicago will miss him as a football coach,” Mullaney said. “It’s sad, but it’s understandable that he wants to be with his family. He’s worked so hard.”

Mullaney didn’t specify an exact timeline for hiring Reinke’s successor but noted he’d like to have a new head coach in place by January so off-season planning can commence.

“We’ll let the dust settle, but we want to do this the right way,” Mullaney said.