ADVERTISEMENT

Coach Hennessey of Notre Dame to retire

ESCC fan

Well-Known Member
Nov 15, 2003
2,525
941
113
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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!!
 
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eireog
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
 
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!
 
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
 
Last edited:
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
 
  • Like
Reactions: 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
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.
 
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?
 
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”
 
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?
 
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
 
I'm just going to say the truth. St. Pats has not been good in football for a while now and ND whether you like this or not needs better teams to play non-conference.

That's right. Just remember who said it 1st. So if it's about playoff points, believe this is or not, ND is right here.
 
I'm just going to say the truth. St. Pats has not been good in football for a while now and ND whether you like this or not needs better teams to play non-conference.

That's right. Just remember who said it 1st. So if it's about playoff points, believe this is or not, ND is right here.
3-8 last season, neither team saw playoffs. It’s a cop out and the president and principal are the two to blame for it. There I said it. Has nothing to do with playoff points
 
  • Like
Reactions: mullin17
I'm just going to say the truth. St. Pats has not been good in football for a while now and ND whether you like this or not needs better teams to play non-conference.

That's right. Just remember who said it 1st. So if it's about playoff points, believe this is or not, ND is right here.
They have a CCL schedule with Provi, JCA, BR, Marist, Rita, STL and Leo. But keep telling me about comp and playoff points.
 
They have a CCL schedule with Provi, JCA, BR, Marist, Rita, STL and Leo. But keep telling me about comp and playoff points.
Including Washington and St Charles East how many wins do you see at best? If the answer is 4 or 5 wins then playoff points do matter for them. If you can trade in your 2 playoff points from Pats (their win average past 2 seasons) for 7 pp from Washington (7.5 reg season win avg over last 2) then that IS a huge difference.

Marist plays an incredibly tough CCL schedule and finished 4-5 2 years ago. 4-5 Taft had more playoff points and got in over them. Another dent in your argument.

While I do not think that was the real reason for not renewing a contract, the logic is sound.
 
Listen, the next chance we get to play St. Pats I assure you we will play. At least ND has had some average/above average seasons lately. We've even had playoff wins. More than Pats can claim over the past 20 some odd years.
 
Listen, the next chance we get to play St. Pats I assure you we will play. At least ND has had some average/above average seasons lately. We've even had playoff wins. More than Pats can claim over the past 20 some odd years.
But won’t play now cuz of playoff points excuse got it! Why play Leo? (Yes I know it’s a crossover game) Your argument is flawed and you know it. It’s cop out and needs to be called out as such. I will not deny that the Shamrocks have not made the playoffs as many times in the last decade as Niles Notre Dame but the fact remains they never backed away, same can’t be said for the Dons. Playoff points excuse is just that an excuse. Strap up the pads and embrace a rivalry (yes it’s been on Dons favor lately) tides can turn but I guess we won’t know that because you know “playoff points”
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT