Mitz is the right fit for Jacobs football job

Former Stevenson football coach Bill Mitz will continue his coaching career at Jacobs High School in Algonquin.

Mitz stepped down as Stevenson's coach at the end of the 2009 season and will retire as a physical education teacher at the end of the school year. He has been offered and has accepted the position as football coach at Jacobs, District 300 Director of Human Resources John Light said Friday.

The offer to Mitz is conditional, pending the result of a criminal-background check, which is expected to be a formality. Mitz underwent the same background checks at Stevenson, but District 300 is mandated to perform its own check under the Illinois school code, according to Light.

"We don't anticipate any problems," Light said. "We're extremely excited to see Mr. Mitz come to Jacobs. We're very flattered and really excited for our kids at Jacobs."

Mitz, also the freshman wrestling coach at Stevenson, attended the wrestling state finals in Champaign Friday and did not immediately return calls. Jacobs athletic director Tom Ross declined to comment until the hiring can be announced officially.

Mitz coached for 28 seasons at Stevenson, where he amassed a career record of 197-98. He led the Patriots to the state playoffs for the last 21 consecutive seasons, a span during which his teams averaged 8 victories a year. Stevenson was the Class 8A state runner up in 2002.

Mitz replaces Dean Schlueter, whose teams finished 55-68 in 13 seasons. Schlueter was not retained as Jacobs football coach after the Golden Eagles completed their third straight losing season with a record of 2-7 in 2009.

Mitz is well acquainted with Fox Valley Conference football. His son, Brian, now a junior receiver at Northern Michigan University, was Cary-Grove's quarterback in 2004, when the Trojans finished second in Class 7A. The elder Mitz lent his expertise as an adviser to Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay and his staff during the 2004 postseason once Stevenson was eliminated from the playoffs.

"Bill is a very personable person who has an endearing personality," said Kay, whose Trojans won the Class 6A state title in November. "He's a people person. He has that ability to communicate, and he understands what it takes to be an outstanding football player. All of his teams have always brought a level of physical and mental toughness to the field.

"We know his record speaks for itself. He's coached kids that have ended up in the NFL, he played college football and he's seen a lot of football. We know coach Mitz will be a fine addition to the Fox Valley Conference."

Three of Mitz's former players at Stevenson reached the NFL: linemen Matt O'Dwyer and Drew Mormino and tight end Brad Cieslak.