Geneva High School has been successful in winning football games over many years. Rob Wicinski, the head coach the last 22 seasons led the Vikings to second place in the 2008 season and a 13-1 won-loss record.
Earlier this week he announced his retirement from coaching and will no longer teach at the school. He said he may teach elsewhere, however, has no definite plans at this time.
His football career includes as a linebacker on the 1983 Northern Illinois University Mid-American Conference championship team under head coach Bill Mallory. The Huskies won the California Bowl that year, 20-13, against Cal State Fullerton.
Wicinski, an Ottawa native, has memories of that significant season in Huskie history. He recalls, “the excitement generated on campus. The goal posts being torn down and carried to the Lagoon.”
Geneva was his second head coaching stint following his start at Niles North High School. His first coaching assignment was as an assistant coach at Ottawa High School.
Memories? “There have been an accumulation of memories,” he said earlier this week. “There have been dramatic games that you remember, but it’s always been about the relationships. Relationships built with parents, players, the coaching community, and my own coaches.”
His teams qualified for 12 successive seasons in the middle of his 22 years with Geneva. Overall his coaching record is 132-110, however, for four seasons, 2006 through 2009, his teams compiled a record of 44-6. Those years were the crest. In his first year his team’s record was 0-9 and the last full season the record in 2019 was 0-9. The Vikings were 2-4 in the recently-concluded six-game Spring season which followed no games played in the Fall 2020. He ends his time at Geneva with good feelings about football and the success.
“None of this could have happened without the support of my family, my wife, Gina, daughters Lauren, Jessica, and Kelsey. The support of the school, community, and town.
“Finally, my coaches and players, who through their heart and soul, put out for the program. I do thank all of them. Takes a village.”
Every year brings continuity and changes. Each football season is unique. The 2021 Fall season will be challenges to schools and conferences. Geneva will have a new head coach to build on its legacy and will be in a competitive DuKane Conference.
• The six-game football season produced a coaches poll each week. In the biggest class, 8A, Loyola Academy of the Chicago Catholic League and in Wilmette, was No. 1. Lincoln-Way East was No. 2, Naperville Central was No. 4 and Hinsdale Central No. 5. South Elgin, Huntley, Neuqua Valley, and Oswego, were Nos. 10 through 13.
• In 7A, St. Charles North was No. 2 behind Chicago Mt. Carmel, Wheaton North No. 3, Wheaton South No. 5 and Batavia No. 6. Kaneland was tied for No. 10 in 6A and Glenbard South No. 9 in 5A.