2018 HSFB Preview: Madison-Area Coaching Changes

Several schools will be under a new direction for the 2018 high school football season in the Madison area. Here's a list of head coaching moves involving area teams.

Big Eight

After last year saw two new head coaches in the conference, there's only one change for the upcoming season... and it's a coach who has been at the helm of a Big 8 program in the past. Michael Harris, who coached at Madison La Follette from 2008-2013, is the new head coach for Madison Memorial. He takes over for Adam Smith. Harris has a career record of 20-35. He'll be leading a program with some success at the youth levels and some stars in the 2019 and 2020 classes already. The Spartans made the playoffs last year with a 4-6 overall record including the postseason, and are 15-15 overall the past three seasons.

Badger North

Ryan Kleppe left the Mount Horeb/Barneveld program for another job, so former Delavan-Darien/Willams Bay coach Bret St. Arnauld will be the new lead man. St. Arnauld actually coached Delavan-Darien to a playoff win over Mount Horeb/Barneveld in 2016, his only playoff win as a head coach. His Comets went 17-22 in four seasons... Scott Schutt is the interim coach at Sauk Prairie, after the school decided to take a more patient approach towards hiring their next football coach. Schutt plans on stepping down after the season after taking over just days before the 2017 began, when the Eagles' previous coach left the position.

Badger South

Former Sun Prairie assistant Brady Grayvold will take over at Fort Atkinson, as former coach Steve Mahoney is the athletic director. In addition to coaching at Sun Prairie, Grayvold was a Gagliardi Award finalist at UW-Whitewater. This is his first head coaching job... WFCA Hall of Fame coach Al Minnaert retired at Edgewood, so Jesse Norris, an Ohio native who previously coached in Florida, will be the head coach this season for the Crusaders. Norris went 2-8 in his only season as a head coach.

Capitol

Only one change between the North and South conferences. Waterloo AD Aaron Erickson, their former wrestling coach, will take over as head football coach for Paul Scheel. Scheel had been coaching in the district since 2000. Erickson was quietly approved this spring as the new head coach.

Rock Valley

In another AD-related move, Jeff Spiwak left the Clinton football program in the hands of his former assistant, Jake Standiford, who was the offensive coordinator under Spiwak. Clinton's had a big run of success, going 22-3 the past two years... There is already a move on the books for next year, as interim coach Jim Pease will step down at Whitewater, where he is already the athletic director and baseball coach.

Greater Madison Area

After 36 years in the district and 13 years at the helm of the Darlington Redbirds, Scott Zywicki stepped down and former Markesan coach Travis Winkers will take over... with Bret St. Arnauld leaving Delavan-Darien for Mount Horeb/Barneveld, Hank Johnson becomes the new head coach of the Comets. Johnson has coached several sports in the district... Wisconsin Dells hired Scott Flood as their new lead man, replacing Eric Rosholt, who resigned after the 2017 season. Flood is 8-11 as a head coach, his two seasons coming at Milwaukee Bradley Tech... North Crawford will be led by new coach Tyler Dornink, replacing Kyle Oldenburg, while Wonewoc/Weston's new coach is John Benish, replacing Tom Hoile.

Full Statewide List at WisSports.net: Go Here

2018 High School Football Preview Schedule

Late June/Early July: 2017 In Review (by conference)

Mid-July: Team-by-team previews

Early August: Conference previews

Coming Next: July 19: Where Are They Now? Class of 2016

Daily High School Sports Content Schedule

June 28: Throwback Thursday - Top 2017 Games #5: Waunakee 14, Brookfield Central 13

June 29: Capitol South 2017 In Review

July 2: Capitol North 2017 In Review

July 3: Rock Valley 2017 In Review

July 4: Football Friday Night Returns for 10th Season

July 5: Where Are They Now: Class of 2014

July 5: Throwback Thursday - Top 2017 Games #4: Stoughton 30, Oregon 27

July 6: Greater Madison Area 2017 In Review (everything outside of Big 8, Badger, Capitol, Rock Valley)

July 9: Badger South 2017 In Review

July 10: Badger North 2017 In Review

July 11: Big Eight 2017 In Review

July 12: Where Are They Now: Class of 2015

July 12: Throwback Thursday - Top 2017 Games #3: Cambridge 25, Belleville 19

July 13: 2017 High School Football In Review

July 16: 2018 Madison-Area High School Football Coaching Changes

July 16: Start of Team-by-Team Previews (multiple per day)

July 19: Where Are They Now: Class of 2016

Julu 19: Throwback Thursday - Top 2017 Games #2: Madison West 30, Middleton 27

July 26: Where Are They Now: Class of 2017

July 26: Throwback Thursday - Top 2017 Games #1: Lodi 17, St. Croix Central 10

August 2: Where Are They Now: Class of 2018

August 6: Start of Conference Previews (one per day)

August 9: Where Are They Now: Classes 2013 and Earlier

August 13: Prep Report and Game of the Week content begins

Photo: Getty Images

Football Friday Night with WisSports.net Back for 10th Season - Thumbnail Image

Football Friday Night with WisSports.net Back for 10th Season


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content