What is Peoria High looking for in the next football coach? What we know about the search
So, what’s next for the Peoria High football program?
Finding a new head coach is at the top of the list for Lions athletics director Brien Dunphy.
Tim Thornton announced his resignation Monday, leaving the Pride of the City for a job in Florida following a decorated 14-year career as head coach. He tallied 94 wins along with the 2016 Class 5A state championship and a state runner-up finish in 2022.
“Football under coach Thornton’s leadership has really changed our school over the last 14 years,” Dunphy said. “Starting off the fall with victories and full stands and pep assemblies and playoffs, it just sets the tone for the entire school year – not just here but I believe at every school in Illinois.
“Getting off to that successful start, getting everybody in Peoria talking and positive. We expect to win and our whole school has that attitude when football’s going well, and it's certainly gone well for quite a long time.”
Dunphy says the job has been posted. He has received several applications already, anticipating many internal as well as external coaches to show interest. The opening for the 12th Central football coach since 1919 will close early next week followed by the review of resumes and applicants.
If schedules allow, the first round of interviews will take place late next week with follow-up interviews, likely beginning the week of Dec. 18.
“I believe we all have the goal of getting someone hired before Christmas break,” Dunphy said. “It’s a pretty abbreviated timeline but everyone on our hiring panel … we have goals, and we know what we’re looking for. We’re going to find that person.”
Joining Dunphy on the hiring committee will be Peoria High principal Shaun McGinnes and AJ Guyton, who is the Peoria Public Schools director of K-12 athletics. Two other individuals are in discussions to be added.
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There might not yet be a consensus on who will replace Thornton, but there’s an unofficial checklist for the ideal candidate.
“Same thing we’re always looking for,” Dunphy said. “Excellent educators and communicators. People with experience in Peoria is always valuable and important. We’re looking to continue the amazing things we’ve done in the community and in our school in changing the community and continuing the culture and climate.”
The new Lions head coach steps into a program that had nine playoff appearances and four 10-plus win seasons during Thornton’s tenure.
Four all-Big 12 Conference players – JaQuarius Green, TQ Webb, Spencer Russell and Cam Peterson – are slated to return. Peoria High, which went 7-3 in the fall before forfeiting those wins after the IHSA ruled the use of an ineligible player, is scheduled to open the 2024 season at Peoria Stadium against Champaign Centennial on Aug. 30.
“We’ve had a great program for a long time,” Dunphy said, “and people want to be a part of winners and success. It’s not an easy job. Don’t let anybody be fooled. This is very difficult and stressful.
“It takes an awful lot of coaches. People often comment about us having a dozen or more football coaches, but they’re all tired at the end of the day.”
More: Here are the 2023 all-Big 12 Conference teams for football, volleyball and boys soccer
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: What does Peoria High want in next football coach? Here's some insight
