...Loyola's winningest coach ever, “If you want to be the best, you have
to beat the best.”
No post on Loyola would be complete without at least one mention of the legendary Hoerster:
Driven and demanding, electric with an
energy that lifted and inspired, John E. Hoerster resurrected Loyola’s
moribund football program, guiding his men to a state championship
title, a state final, and two state semi-finals during an unprecedented
four-year run. With his trademark enthusiasm, commitment, and good
humor, he likewise invigorated Loyola’s athletic directorship.
John lived and breathed football. His knowledge of the game, his sure
command of the X’s and O’s, was absolute and complete. A master of
defensive football, John understood that a disciplined, aggressive,
meticulously prepared defense would keep Loyola in contention in any
game. The thoroughness of his game preparation was unrivaled, his
ability to break down film legendary. Nothing was taken for granted. Yet
he proved equally adept at making mid-game adjustments on the field. He
was, above all, an inspiring teacher of football whose passion for the
game was a lesson in itself.
John’s record of accomplishment is long and impressive. He was an
All-State, All-American offensive lineman at St. Rita and an
award-winning, three-year starting guard at Northwestern. After fifteen
seasons as an assistant coach to mentor Tom Winiecki at Gordon Tech,
John came to Loyola. In his sixteen seasons at the helm, he led the
Ramblers to 133 wins against 57 losses, a seventy percent winning
record. A state title (1993), a state finalist (1992), two state
semi-finalists (1990, 1991), four Catholic League North Section titles
(1989, 1991, 1992, 1993), three Prep Bowl titles (1988,1995,1996), and
twelve playoff qualifying teams – the list is indeed an impressive
chronicle of achievement. Named the Chicago Catholic League’s Man of the
Year in 1990, the Catholic League Coach of the Year in 1991, the Frank
Leahy Prep Coach of the Year in 1992, and the National Football
Foundation High School Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992, John
fulfilled a dream with his induction into the Catholic League’s Hall of
Fame in 1993.
It's in Hoerster's memory that the Loyola scouting report continues:
Scheduling perennial power Maine South as a Week Two
non-conference game was a bold move. It shows Coach Holecek and his
Ramblers fear no team. But, this is such a heated rivalry (meetings
between the two schools have been physical, chippy affairs late in the
IHSA playoffs) that anything can happen. Loyola once again has arguably
the toughest schedule in the state.
And as for that Week Nine game against Mount Carmel:
It’s the best rivalry in all of Illinois High school sports – and this
year, the Caravan have to play in Sachs Stadium. A Loyola vs. Mt. Carmel
finale just screams, “CCL Championship on the line.” In fact, the
league title has essentially been decided by this game for the past five
years. The highlight of this battle over the last decade has been the
chess match between Frank Lenti, architect of a dynasty that has won 12
IHSA championships, and John Holecek, the defensive mastermind, and the
man behind Loyola football’s third golden era.
Lenti’s name is in
the record books with this gaudy number: 384 wins, a state record. He's
had the most prolific coaching Illinois prep football has ever seen.
Last year, with his team’s back against the wall, he took the Caravan to
its 29th straight playoff appearance -- and the IHSA semifinals. He won
consecutive state titles in 2012 (8A) and 2013 (7A).
One the other
side is John Holecek -- the NFL blue-blood who resurrected Loyola’s
program -- and with a record of 96-24 -- his winning percentage as
Loyola's head coach is above 80 percent. Nine of his 24 losses came in
his first two seasons, 2006 and 2007. I have no doubt if he coaches as
long as Lenti, he'll own the all-time victory mark.
While we're at it, what other Loyola records are in danger of falling?
Senior running back Dara Laja is not only running for his senior
season, he’s making a run at the record book. Loyola’s most sacred
athletic title – the all-time leading rusher – is within his grasp. He’s
about 500 yards away from Pat Naughton’s mark of 2,142, and -- barring
injury -- he could have the record anywhere between Week Four and Week Six. Running backs coach Ryan Gallagher, himself one of the top ten
running backs in the history of the program says Laja’s has the
potential to be “the most impactful position on the field, but I’m
biased.”
Naughton, who is the varsity wide receivers coach,
recently said Laja provides a different dimension for the offense. “He’s
a threat to score every time he touches the ball,” Naughton said. “We
haven’t had a player like that since Adrian Autry.” Jack Spellman held
the record for 30 years, Pat Naughton for 20 years. This is a
generational record, and it should be fun watching history unfold with
Naughton and Gallagher on the sidelines. Naughton’s place in the record
books seems secure – his single season rushing record of 2,005 yards is
not likely to be broken in the modern era of pass-first football.
Next: One last look (I promise!) at a few more Loyola coaches of yesteryear.
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