By Bobby Narang
Ron Muhitch decided it was finally time to end his long and illustrious football coaching career.
After spending 41 seasons on the sidelines at Wheaton Central and Wheaton Warrenville South High Schools, Muhitch announced his retirement Monday afternoon.
He guided the Tigers into State prominence, by winning four State championships as an assistant and three championships as the head coach.
Muhitch said he contemplated not returning to coach this season, but felt he “owed it to my seniors” for one final season. Muhitch already is living in Florida, but returned for the football season. Muhitch, who served as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator, 1980-2001, finished with a head coaching record of 153-63, which included three State championships, two runner-up finishes and two semifinalists. Under Muhitch, the Tigers won seven DuPage Valley Conference championships, and 13 overall including his assistant tenure.
“My wife joked that I finally graduated high school because I’ve been walking the halls of Wheaton Warrenville South for over 40 years in some capacity, whether teaching or coaching,” Muhitch said. “I loved it. Wheaton Warrenville South is a great high school. I built some great relationships. I made a commitment to a couple of families in the 2020 class at this time last year that I would stay when the kids were seniors.”
Muhitch’s final season certainly was memorable, mainly because of the off-and-on again approach because of the coronavirus pandemic. When the season was finally a go for a condensed six-game regular Spring season without a State playoff, Muhitch said it was a gratifying season. Muhitch is just the third head coach in the program’s history since 1970.
The Tigers handed Batavia its first loss of the season with a stunning 30-7 victory in a DuKane Conference game in week four. Wheaton Warrenville South dropped a 28-21 decision to St. Charles North Saturday at Northern Illinois’ Huskie Stadium to finish with a 4-2 record on the season.
Muhitch said the DuKane Conference is on the rise.
“It was a fun ride, especially this year because the Conference was competitive group among the top four,” he said. “I can remember being that young guy, trying to beat top program like Wheaton North in early days, when you get momentum in program, you have to run with it. I could see quality new competition in this new Conference.”