By Wyatt Dojutrek, associate online editor-in-chief
To say that head football coach Dan DeBoeuf’s role at Prospect High School has risen quickly might be an understatement.
It all started in February when he was tapped to lead the Knights football program and teach special education.
About a year later, he has been hired to replace longtime boys’ athletic director, Tom Martindale, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Martindale has been the Prospect boys’ athletic director since 2005, and has been teaching at the school for 20 years. Prior to arriving at Prospect, Martindale was at Wheeling High School for 14 years.
DeBoeuf could not be more honored to be chosen to replace Martindale.
“I couldn’t follow up with more of a class act,” DeBoeuf said. “And I can honestly say, I’ve learned a ton from just watching him and how he operates in the past six months. I’m really hoping that he can continue to mentor me as I kinda get my feet wet and get some experience.”
DeBoeuf will continue in his role teaching special education and coaching the football team. He will work alongside girls’ athletic director Rebecca Schilz to oversee the athletic department starting next school year.
Martindale is extremely confident that his successor will succeed in his new role as athletic director.
“You look at the characteristics of an individual. And you look at the drive of an individual, and the motivation of an individual. For him to put in [the work], means that he wants to do it,” Martindale said. “And when coach DeBoeuf wants to try and do something, I think that you’ve seen, his track record would show that things have gone in a direction for him.”
DeBoeuf is ready to hit the ground running in his new position beginning in August.
“I’m excited,” DeBoeuf said. “I’m excited to challenge myself and kind of get out of my comfort zone a little bit and see what happens.”