On Nov. 30, Matt Bednorz handed in his letter resigning as
Englewood High School’s head football coach.
Bednorz guided the Pirates for two seasons and, despite some
close games, the team’s two-season record was 3-17. The team’s
problem were compounded because despite Bednorz’s best recruiting
efforts, the participation in the program declined dramatically. By
the time Englewood played its final game of the 2009 season on Nov.
6, there were only 24 eligible players in uniform on the
sidelines.
Bednorz said it was a difficult decision to make.
“I love this school. I love the kids, but I felt it was time to
step down from the head coaching job,” Bednorz said. “It has been
frustrating. Our participation has been way down and I just wish
there was more time to work with the kids who are coming into the
program. I resigned as Pirates head coach but coaching is in my
blood and I’ll don’t plan to give it up.”
He said he isn’t sure where he’ll coach but he wants to be on
the gridiron next fall and said he may just decide to have some fun
and volunteer to coach one of the Englewood Youth Sports
Association teams.
Paul Evans, EHS athletic director, said Bednorz always gave his
all to the coaching post.
“Matt was passionate about the program, the kids and our school
so no one could doubt that he put everything he had into trying to
make Pirate football successful,” Evans said. “But the program
obviously was struggling and, when we discussed what would be best
for the kids, Matt decided to step down as head football
coach.”
Evans agreed with Bednorz that there is concern about the
decline in the number of kids who want to play football at the high
school.
“I think everyone here at the high school wants to take the
necessary steps to turn the program around,” the athletic director
said.
Evans said the coaching vacancy will be announced the first week
of December and the goal is to select a new head coach as soon as
possible.
Anyone interested in applying to be Pirates head football coach
can call Evans at 303-806-2253.
Bednorz has been teaching in Englewood School District since the
fall of 2001 and the same year he joined the Pirate football
coaching staff as an assistant.
In 2006, he moved to a teaching position at the high school and
continued to coach. He was selected from the field of applicants
who applied to be Pirate head football coach starting with the 2008
season, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of long-time
coach Randy Penn.
