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Matt Mishler Steps Down As Rolling Meadows Football Coach


Matt Mishler announced he’s stepping down as Rolling Meadows head football coach Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Mishler took over the job in 2011 and never posted a season with less than six wins. He ends his time with the second-most wins by a coach in program history, going 72-25 (.742 win %) over nine seasons. Rolling Meadows went 65-16 in the regular season, including 37-8 in the MSL East, under Mishler.

The Mustangs posted three undefeated regular seasons under Mishler, going 9-0 in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Whoever takes over the team next gets one riding an 18-game win streak in the regular season, a mark not many teams can match. Meadows won a school-record 12 games last season (12-1) and went 22-2 over the last two years. The two losses are to 2018 state runner-up St. Charles North and 2019 state runner-up Nazareth.

The Mustangs went 7-9 in the playoffs under Mishler over nine appearances. The nine playoff appearances are tied for a school record for a coach. 

“I want to thank the RMHS community for the last nine years,” Mishler said in a long message on Twitter. “I’ve always expected 100% from our players and coaches, both mentally and physically. I no longer feel that I can give what I expect; therefore, I’ve made the difficult decision to step down as head football coach. I’m incredibly proud of what we have accomplished.”

Rolling Meadows coach Matt Mishler (left) talks with Jon Herring (76) following a 15-8 loss to Benet in the Class 7A state quarterfinals in 2016.

Rolling Meadows became a powerhouse in recent years under Mishler. The Mustangs were not always on top, though. The Mustangs debuted in 1971 under Angelo Barro, who guided the team to an 18-15-1 record over five seasons. Art Klein (44-46) guided the Mustangs from 1976-85, going 7-2 twice, but never qualified for the playoffs. Fred Lussow led Meadows from 1986-91, making the playoffs in 1986 and 1990. Dennis Lynch owned the job from 1992-96, but struggled, going 7-38 with two 0-9 records to start his tenure. Doug Millsaps was the longest-tenured coach, going 14 seasons from 1997-2010. Millsaps went 77-64 with nine playoff appearances, but his final season in 2010 saw the Mustangs finish 4-5. That was the last losing season for Meadows.

Rolling Meadows qualified for the playoffs 16 of the last 17 years between Mishler and Millsaps.

Mishler’s former players were quick to thank him on Twitter for his job leading the program over the years and helping them develop as people.

“Thank you for so many valuable lessons taught and everything you did for everyone on your teams,” Rolling Meadows alum and current University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire freshman Justin Kretz said. “It was an absolute honor and pleasure to play with you as coach.”

College of DuPage freshman and 2019 Rolling Meadows alum Jace O’Hara was grateful to play under Mishler.

“Love you coach,” O’Hara said. “I wouldn’t trade our time together for anything in the world. I’m honored and grateful to have played for you and this amazing program. Thank you!”

Two-time All-State player Nate Pedraza said Mishler is Rolling Meadows football. Pedraza said he remembers looking up to Mishler as a fifth-grader, knowing he would play under him one day.

Pedraza did and helped the Mustangs become elite. 

 

Rolling Meadows Under Mishler:

2011: 6-4 (3-2 MSL East), 301 points for, 229 points allowed

2012: 7-3 (4-1 MSL East, tied 1st place), 342 points for, 207 points allowed

2013: 7-4 (4-1 MSL East, tied 1st place), 366 points for, 315 points allowed

2014: 7-3 (4-1 MSL East, tied 1st place), 244 points for, 232 points allowed

2015: 6-4 (4-1 MSL East, tied 1st place), 306 points for, 260 points allowed

2016: 11-1 (5-0 MSL East, 1st place), 402 points for, 104 points allowed (state quarterfinals)

2017: 6-4 (3-2 MSL East), 268 points for, 170 points allowed

2018: 10-1 (5-0 MSL East, 1st place), 474 points for, 176 points allowed

2019: 12-1 (5-0 MSL East, 1st place), 457 points for, 210 points allowed (state semifinals)

Career: 72-25 (37-8 MSL East), 3,160 points for, 1,903 points allowed

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