Coach Hennessey of Notre Dame to retire

[ESCC fan]

After 38 years at the head of Niles Notre Dame's football team, Coach Henn is retiring. He is also retiring as AD. Countless young men were taught more than football by Coach. His impact on every Don, on the football program, on the athletics program and on the school itself will never be forgotten.

Thank you, Coach, for everything.

 

[eagles2k3]

Will they allows Gooms at ND games now? 🤣

 

[Snetsrak61]

Congrats coach.

I loved the Naz early year ESCC battles against the Don's, especially in Niles.

 

[eagles2k3]

Congrats coach.

I loved the Naz early year ESCC battles against the Don's, especially in Niles.

I was at one of those games in Niles circa 2003 or 2004. Pre naz juggernaut days.

 

[Snetsrak61]

I was at one of those games in Niles circa 2003 or 2004. Pre naz juggernaut days.

Fall of 2003 was my soph year and Naz's first ESCC season, so that's probably the one you're thinking of. 2004 at Naz and 2005 was a defensive battle in Niles.

 

[ESCC fan]

As for replacement, I don't really have a ton in the way of "sources", but I am hearing the next football coach will be named relatively quickly. I've heard three names---two that are somewhat "obvious" and have been mentioned on this board before and one that is a little more out there and would be interesting. Don't want to burn any bridges or anything so that's all I will say.

As for AD, no idea. But I expect that to be a more formal, drawn out process.

 

[lookoutforliam]

After 38 years at the head of Niles Notre Dame's football team, Coach Henn is retiring. He is also retiring as AD. Countless young men were taught more than football by Coach. His impact on every Don, on the football program, on the athletics program and on the school itself will never be forgotten.

Thank you, Coach, for everything.

Hell of a run. Great man. Dedicated man. Cheers, Coach!

 

[guerinfbfan]

Even as an HC guy, you have to respect what Coach Hennessey did for thousands of young Dons. Enjoy retirement coach 👏

 

[crusader_of_90]

Let's do a shot to honor this man!

 

[goomsback]

Will they allows Gooms at ND games now? 🤣

Well, since I see this comment I'll answer. Coach Henessey is a great man who affected many lives at ND. As a football coach, (and they can come after me all they want) he's mediocre AT BEST.

As for next coach, if it's not Dan Defranza consider me shocked. As for AD, your guess is as good as mine.

 

[Silver Rain]

ND has some passionate fans and Henessey, who loved the school, gave them something to cheer about.

 

[eireog]

Under the patronage of Mary, Notre Dame College Prep is a secondary school committed to educating young men to be gentlemen of faith, scholarship, and service in an inclusive, family-oriented community. Faithful to the Roman Catholic tradition and inspired by Gospel values, we prepare students to be lifelong learners and to lead lives of integrity.

For 38 years Mike Hennessey has epitomized everything mentioned in the schools mission statement. Thank you Coach for everything you’ve done for the Notre Dame family. Go Dons!!

 

[scrapper329]

Under the patronage of Mary, Notre Dame College Prep is a secondary school committed to educating young men to be gentlemen of faith, scholarship, and service in an inclusive, family-oriented community. Faithful to the Roman Catholic tradition and inspired by Gospel values, we prepare students to be lifelong learners and to lead lives of integrity.

For 38 years Mike Hennessey has epitomized everything mentioned in the schools mission statement. Thank you Coach for everything you’ve done for the Notre Dame family. Go Dons!!

Perfectly said.

 

[firstdown21]

As for replacement, I don't really have a ton in the way of "sources", but I am hearing the next football coach will be named relatively quickly. I've heard three names---two that are somewhat "obvious" and have been mentioned on this board before and one that is a little more out there and would be interesting. Don't want to burn any bridges or anything so that's all I will say.

As for AD, no idea. But I expect that to be a more formal, drawn out process.

There's only 1 obvious choice, imo. Anyone other than DD would be a mistake

 

[McCaravan]

Legen....wait for it.....dary

 

[ESCC fan]

There's only 1 obvious choice, imo. Anyone other than DD would be a mistake

No mistakes made. Dan DeFranza (Dons class of '90) was named head coach. He has been D-coordinator at ND for 30 years. The defense has always been, and will continue to be, ND's strong point. Now, let's get a creative offensive coordinator and get things moving!

 

[CCHS-Fan]

Great choice!

I saw DD play @ NND and then EIU. Without a doubt, a quality person replacing another quality person.

 

[goomsback]

DeFranza has honestly been co head coach for about 10 years now. No surprise to anyone he accepted so fast.

 

[eireog]

Congratulations Danny!! If we can get the team to play with Dan’s passion and intensity, we will be in great shape. Go Dons!!

 

[lookoutforliam]

Congrats to Danny. Great leader of young men. ND should be very happy with this move!

 

[mullin17]

Classic FB Head Coaches/ADs in the old ESCC conference are slowly dwindling away. Mattio, Sharp, Bitto, Goforth, Hennessey, etc.
Not to be a back in my day guy, but will there ever be 20+ year head coach at 1 school in the ESCC/Catholic League moving forward? Edit: Just noticed Racki has been there 20

 

[UlbKA91]

Classic FB Head Coaches/ADs in the old ESCC conference are slowly dwindling away. Mattio, Sharp, Bitto, Hennessey, etc.
Not to be a back in my day guy, but will there ever be 20+ year head coach at 1 school in the ESCC/Catholic League moving forward?

The original Travel Sports League

 

[Snetsrak61]

Classic FB Head Coaches/ADs in the old ESCC conference are slowly dwindling away. Mattio, Sharp, Bitto, Goforth, Hennessey, etc.
Not to be a back in my day guy, but will there ever be 20+ year head coach at 1 school in the ESCC/Catholic League moving forward? Edit: Just noticed Racki has been there 20

Yep, he hit 20 this year. Of course Naz isn't "old" in ESCC terms I guess we're all old dogs at this point.

 

[goomsback]

Joe Salituro named NDCP Athletic director. He comes from Hope Academy with a decent resume.

 

[nwfb99]

Joe Salituro named NDCP Athletic director. He comes from Hope Academy with a decent resume.

Maybe he’ll put St Pats back on the schedule next year for football

 

[MsDavis10]

Maybe he’ll put St Pats back on the schedule next year for football

Both schools have filled their schedules for next year it appears.

Week 1: Yorkville (4-5 2024) @ St Patrick (2-7 2024)
Week 1: Washington, IL (8-3 2024) @ Niles Notre Dame (3-8 2024)

Yorkville had a great season 2 years ago but I don’t know much else about them. Washington is a solid 5a/6a program that has been a mainstay in the state playoffs. Not sure if these matchups would be considered upgrades (or downgrades, depending how you view the schedule).

When was the last time these schools played each other in conference and why don’t they play each other in conference?

 

[nwfb99]

Both schools have filled their schedules for next year it appears.

Week 1: Yorkville (4-5 2024) @ St Patrick (2-7 2024)
Week 1: Washington, IL (8-3 2024) @ Niles Notre Dame (3-8 2024)

Yorkville had a great season 2 years ago but I don’t know much else about them. Washington is a solid 5a/6a program that has been a mainstay in the state playoffs. Not sure if these matchups would be considered upgrades (or downgrades, depending how you view the schedule).

When was the last time these schools played each other in conference and why don’t they play each other in conference?

ND & St Pats have typically played every year since I can remember except 1-2 years when the merger of the ESCC/CCL. To your other question, they were members of the ESCC but were put in different divisions with the merger so they were not guaranteed to play every year with the cross division matchups. When they were not playing within the divisions they tried to schedule each other as a non conference game. ND dropped St Pats from the schedule and from what I was told it was for “playoff points”

 

[MsDavis10]

ND & St Pats have typically played every year since I can remember except 1-2 years when the merger of the ESCC/CCL. To your other question, they were members of the ESCC but were put in different divisions with the merger so they were not guaranteed to play every year with the cross division matchups. When they were not playing within the divisions they tried to schedule each other as a non conference game. ND dropped St Pats from the schedule and from what I was told it was for “playoff points”

I assume the divisions are not geographical? I know the divisions and schedules change every 2 years. Unfortunate they’ve yet to be in the same division or even be a crossover matchup.

ND dropped them as in they broke a 2 year contract or did they just find a new opponent and didn’t respect the “unwritten rule” of keeping a rivalry/tradition alive?

 

[nwfb99]

I assume the divisions are not geographical? I know the divisions and schedules change every 2 years. Unfortunate they’ve yet to be in the same division or even be a crossover matchup.

ND dropped them as in they broke a 2 year contract or did they just find a new opponent and didn’t respect the “unwritten rule” of keeping a rivalry/tradition alive?

Niles ND informed St Pats they would not be playing them as a non conference next year and St Pats reached out to even play the game at ND and that fell on deaf ears. Shocking to me cuz ND has had winning streak in this series for awhile and to randomly drop a rivalry game is a bit shocking