I haven't heard a lot of talk about this, so I thought I'd start some. John was my OC when I played in high school. He eventually took over for my former HC Pete Ventrelli. In a few short seasons, he won the 8A title. He hired me the following year to work with the lower levels. I spent five years there in various capacities before moving on. I consider John Wander my mentor from both the standpoint of player-coach and head coach-assistant. He was instrumental in my playing career, and I consider myself a coach in his "tree." I know that there are varying opinions of him, but I wanted to express mine. I wish him all the best in his new role going forward. He has left his mark on Trojan Football.
DGN's John Wander
- Thread starter CoachHansen05
- Start date
This is the first I'd heard of him leaving DGN. I think of Wander as having done a lot with a little. Lots of impressive seasons and lots of impressive post season runs. I think it was in 2008 that DGN beat a highly touted Wheaton Warrenville South 7-0 in the first round. In 2012 he took a talented group of seniors and a young sophomore QB (an Edwards, in relation the Edwards who played QB for DGN when they won state in '04) to the quarter finals, after having gone 5-4. They posted an upset win over Batavia in the first round that year.
There's more to be said than what I can do here. But cheers to John Wander. Wishing him the best going forward.
There's more to be said than what I can do here. But cheers to John Wander. Wishing him the best going forward.
I was on the staff in 2008. That was a win for the ages. Just to clarify, he's not leaving. He's stepping down as HC. An article mentioned that he'd be staying on as an assistant. He's taught there forever as well. I assume he'll continue to coach quarterbacks and call plays.
Total class guy always enjoyed talking to him used to honestly see him at more playoff games when he wasn't coaching in was/is a huge high school football fan