Coaches Corner: Kewanee High School’s Tim Atwell Named Athletic Director of the Year

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Tim Atwell was named Class 1A/2A State Division Athletic Director of the Year at the recent Illinois Athletic Directors Association Conference.

A 1984 graduate of Geneseo High School, Atwell is the Athletic Director and Driver Education teacher at Kewanee High School. He is the son of Kenney Atwell, Geneseo, and the late Genendal Atwell. Atwell lives in Atkinson.

The biography information received about Atwell included his educational background which includes an Associate of Arts Degree from Black Hawk College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education form Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville; a Master’s Degree in Education Special Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University.

Information received from the Athletic Directors Association stated< “This strong educational foundation has equipped Tim with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in his role,”

“With over 30 years of experience in education and coaching, Tim has served in various positions, including teacher, coach and athletic director. Since 2010, he has been the Athletic Director at Kewanee High School, where he oversees a wide range of sports and activities, manages a team of coaches, and ensures compliance with IHSA policies and regulations.”

“Tim’s service extends beyond the school to the community. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Kewanee A’s Baseball organization and has been actively involved in promoting the school and its students. Tim’s efforts to provide pictures of student-athletes to the local news media have helped showcase the achievements of Kewanee High School students and athletes.”

Coaches Corner: Leafs 'to get a fresh start' Under Furlong

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Geneseo football fans know that new Leafs head coach Matt Furlong comes to us after 12 seasons at Cary-Grove, a northwest suburban, multi-state championship power where he was the defensive coordinator.

One of the conditions for getting this job was that he honor the tradition of the Geneseo program.

So, what defense is he going to run? And will his Leafs still run the ball?

Just to put you at ease, Cary-Grove plays absolutely stifling defense. So did Geneseo while coach Bob Reade was building the program, and beyond.

THE DEFENSE

“We'll be taking a lot of what we do from my 12 years at Cary-Grove,” Furlong said in a May 8 interview.

“Our schemes will include multiple fronts,” he said. “We'll take advantage of our strengths to force opponents out of what they want to do.”

The coach said the Geneseo secondary “will use various zone coverages, but we'll use some matchups, based on the kind of athletes we have.”

“A big part of this is building a strong foundation, using the fundamentals,” Furlong said. “The key will be getting our guys to react at the snap, and getting them to the football.”

“There are a lot of different ways to do that,” Furlong said. He said keys will be a lot of repetitions in practice, and a word that came up several times in our conversation . . .execution.

Furlong has been studying Geneseo on tape. “I'm seeing similarities (to Cary-Grove),” in principle,” he said.

“We want to defeat the opponents' defensive linemen,” Furlong said. “Tackling drills and leverage will be important.”

“Early in the season, we'll focus on the basics and get in as many reps as we can.”

“Putting in time and work leads to execution on Friday night,” Furlong said.

THE OFFENSE

Furlong described the Cary-Grove offense as a modern version of the wing-T, which he said many of the state's stronger programs run now.

“Our offense will be run-based, with play-action passing mixed in,” he said. “It has a lot of flexbone principles.”

You'll recall that I sometimes called Bob Reade's offense a “wingbone,” because of the wishbone principles it included. The Leafs also could throw from it – and did.

“There has to be a connection between our defense and our offense,” Furlong said.

“One is physicality. We need to finish off our blocks,” he said.

“The offense is adaptable. There are a lot of ways you can get the ball to a guy.”

Will fans recognize the Geneseo offense?

“We may at times look a little different formation-wise,” he said. That includes some time running from a shotgun, “because it opens up possibilities,” he said.

PROGRAM IN GENERAL

“Geneseo has an identity as a program. We can't be complacent,” he said.

Furlong said “this will be giving the program a fresh start.”

“It's not a one-year thing,” he said. “I'll need to have patience.”

“I'm anxious to see the kids on the field, so we can see their strengths,” the coach said.

Furlong is a big believer in strength training and having his players in other sports, which he said “provides training and enhances competitiveness.”

Those also can lead to. . . . great execution. 

Coaches Corner: GHS Senior Wants to Help Athletes and Coaches Become “Unbreakable” - By Claudia Loucks

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Delivered and Unbreakable – Non-profit programs that Isabella McDaniel founded in her efforts to help others.

The Geneseo High School senior has scheduled an Unbreakable session from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, June 7, at the GFAC (Geneseo Foundation Athletic Center), located at 700 North State St., just north of the high school building.

She described her recent endeavor: “Unbreakable is more than a workshop and program; it’s a transformative journey designed to fortify athletes mentally, equipping them with the resilience and focus needed to excel in their game. Through tailored mental training sessions, Unbreakable empowers athletes to navigate challenges with unwavering determination. Moreover, by guiding coaches and players on unlocking purpose, the program fosters environments that prioritize athlete mental health, ensuring they thrive both on and off the field.”

The free session on June 7 will include breakout sessions, activities and community, McDaniel said.

“At Unbreakable, our vision extends beyond mere athletic performance, she said. “We redefine the very essence of sports culture by championing mental health, purpose, and holistic well-being. Through engaging speakers and workshops, we instill in every athlete a deep sense of purpose that transcends the boundaries of the game. We know that when athletes are fueled by a clear understanding of their purpose, they unlock boundless potential both on and off the field.”

“Moreover, we are committed to nurturing environments that prioritize mental health and well-being,” McDaniel added. “By fostering a culture of open communication, support, and empathy, we create safe spaces where athletes feel empowered to prioritize their mental wellness.”

She said the values of Unbreakable include:

-“Purpose – We empower athletes to discover and embrace their purpose, guiding them to align their actions with their deeper motivations and aspirations.”

-“Mental Health – We create environments that foster open dialogue, support, and resources for mental wellness, recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health in achieving peak performance.”

-“Resilience – The ability to bounce back from struggle. We cultivate resilience in athletes by providing them with the tools and support they need to overcome challenges.”

-“Accountability – We empower athletes to take ownership of their journey – to set goals, put the time in, and overcome challenges.”

GETTING TO KNOW ISABELLA MCDANIEL

Isabella McDaniel has set goals in her efforts which include helping others.

Those goals are a result of her own experiences and struggles.

She shared that she “struggled with anxiety and depression for years. Not feeling good enough, barely surviving, it felt like my brain was a scary monster. I came to a point where I didn’t want to keep going.”

“Sports have been a huge part of my life,” she said. “I played volleyball, tennis and was in track in high school. It was very fun, but also very stressful – the balance of everything, the coping with injury, the failures, the playing time, all sometimes reflect on how we view ourselves. We often, and I do too, take this personally.”

The non-profit programs, Delivered and Unbreakable, stem from McDaniel’s personal struggles that began when she was on a TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) retreat weekend.

“I became inspired,” she said. “The name ‘Delivered’ comes from Psalms 34 – ‘That God is close to the broken hearted and Delivers them ‘.”

Delivered, which McDaniel started in November of 2022, is an outreach dedicated to helping others find purpose through all walks of life.

Unbreakable is a branch of Delivered and McDaniel explained, “All the same values, but Unbreakable is specifically for athletes and their purpose. Delivered caters to everyone.”

“We have talked to hundreds, spreading a message that everyone has a purpose,” she said. “We have developed mentorships, working with youth in schools and the YMCA, providing resources to communities that help them instill purpose in their lives.”

“I want to take this program, ‘Unbreakable,” and work with athletes all over and to also continue the message of “Delivered,’ that everyone has a purpose. Due to recent studies of the increase in NCAA athletes, with them feeling overworked and mentally exhausted, it made me want to have a program where mental health in athletes was fortified.”

Angelo James, left, strength and conditioning coach at Geneseo High School; and Isabella McDaniel, GHS senior, are hoping area athletes and coaches will join them at the upcoming Unbreakable Program on June 7 at the Geneseo Foundation Athletic Center. Photo by Claudia Loucks

Coach Angelo James, strength and conditioning coach at GHS, also is involved with McDaniel’s program and she explained, “The idea of athletes’ mental health was in my brain for so long and it felt like there was something missing from the equation. Since Coach James has worked with all ages and levels of athletics, I knew he was someone to help me with Unbreakable.”

When asked how the programs are funded, McDaniel said, “So far, funding has been from the community, and we have been able to use facilities for free and speakers have helped at no charge. As we grow, we hope to gain more partnerships for funding and also have events and obtain grants to continue our mission.”

“We have had donations from the community,” she said. “We are becoming a 501c3 non-profit organization so we can apply for these grants to reach more people.”

McDaniel is the daughter of Rick and Gena McDaniel, Geneseo.

She will graduate this month from GHS and she plans to continue her mission of working “with athletes and people in general all over the nation to give them hope.”

She will attend Western Illinois University, Quad City Campus, where she plans to major in psychology and communications and then transfer to a larger university.”

A lot of doors are opening in my life and it’s scary, but so exciting to see my dreams become reality. My long term goal is to continue to speak and motivate people wherever I am.”

Coaches Corner: A New Life Awaits the Johnsen Family

By Dalcon DeMaranville
Geneseo Current

After 145 wins and two state runner-up trophies, Larry Johnsen Jr. stepped down from the football head coaching duties at Geneseo. I had the opportunity to sit down with Larry Johnsen, his wife Sarah, and his son Luke. Not to discuss his head coaching career, but to discuss the next phase of life Larry and his family.

I began with, “Coach, we’ve experienced the pouring rain in LaSalle, the incredible 2009 playoff comeback at home against Plano, and the exhilarating state championship game in 2013. But this fall, come August and September, how will things be different for you?” Johnsen simply responded with, “I don’t know how I’m going to transition.” He continued, “I’ll be thinking about how the guys are doing, I’ll be thinking how things are going. But I won’t be that guy sticking my nose in things.”

We have footage of Coach Johnsen as a ball boy from state championship games in the 1970’s. He’s seen standing next to Bob Reade on the sidelines. Johnsen has lived Geneseo football since he was a child and it’s very much a part of him. I asked him how personal this football program is to him. Coach Johnsen says “I’m very lucky. I’ve been around some very good people that understand the big picture. Some people that have helped raise me but who have helped raise my family. It takes a village to raise a child and I’m thankful that village is Geneseo.”

For many dads and granddads who have been through the program themselves, watching their kids or grandkids ring the victory bell is an emotional experience. For Johnsen, it was no different. “It is special to me. Whether it was Luke or Lauren, I always wanted my kids to have the same experiences I had. Whenever my kids were on the field, I kept my eye on them. It meant a lot to me and hopefully it meant a lot to my kids.”

I then turned and asked Luke Johnsen the same question. Luke said, “Not many guys can say they got to ring the victory bell like their dad, especially when their dad is the coach and we got to share that.” Luke Johnsen continues, “I was a ball boy in 2013 when we went to state, that’s a unique experience and not may kids get to experience that. I was a ball boy in elementary school and middle school and our football program is special to me.”

But perhaps nobody had a take like Sarah Johnsen. The wife of a football head coach is a tough job. She is oftentimes the emotional support system and the family glue.

I asked Sarah what it was like being the wife of the Geneseo football head coach. Sarah said “There were so many incredible memories. The families really took us in and loved us. I really loved watching Larry do what he loved every Friday night. I enjoyed watching Luke as a ball boy and watching Lauren as a trainer. Geneseo football has been our life for so long.”

I questioned Sarah “What will it be like to take a step back and breathe a little bit. To go on the road and watch your kids be involved in intercollegiate sports.” Sarah quickly responded with “It will be nice to go on Tuesday night trips to Lauren’s volleyball games and not have to make the journey by myself.” She continued, “To be able to load up on a Saturday make the trip to wherever Luke is playing football and enjoy supporting him and his team with other parents.”

Over the winter, Larry Johnsen Jr. was elected to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Coach Johnsen is fifth head coach since the beginning of the Reade era to receive this honor.

Geneseo football is a community program. We’ve been very fortunate to have only five head coaches in 60 years. Five head coaches who have led to the success of young men, both on and off the football field. Thank you to the Johnsen family for the decades of memories.

My Uncle’s Run,” written and illustrated by nine-year-old Tanner DeSplinter, has a special place in the heart of Geneseo High School’s retiring head football coach Larry Johnsen Jr. The young “author,” son of Grant and Taylor DeSplinter, is Johnsen’s nephew, and the book was his retirement to his uncle. Photos by Claudia Loucks

Larry Johnsen Jr. Inducted to the IHSCA Hall of Fame.

Tanner DeSplinter(Left) holds a book he wrote he wrote about his uncle Larry Johnsen Jr. (Right)

Coaches Corner: The Search for the next 'Green Machine' Head Coach

By Dalcon DeMaranville
Geneseo Current

Since 1962 the Geneseo High School football program has only had five head coaches. In those six decades, Geneseo football has experienced unprecedented success.

When Bob Reade arrived in Geneseo in 1962, he embraced a football program that had only one win in the last 18 games. The first season, Reades’ goal was simple, just win two games and get the student-athletes excited about football again. That season they won four games. Little did they know it was the beginning of an institution that would not only impact Geneseo, but high school and college football across northern Illinois and beyond.

Many say that Bob Reade saw the field differently and that was the secret to his success. Others will argue it’s because football wasn’t his number one priority. In fact, football wasn’t number two and maybe not even number three on his list.

What we do know is that coach Reade saw the big picture. He knew early on that coaching football to young men was more than teaching X’s and O’s. It’s about obeying the law and being a gentleman, both on and off the field. It’s about being a gracious loser, but that doesn’t mean you have to like it.

The four coaches that succeeded Bob Reade did so willingly and accepted the role and the expectations. They did so with poise, determination, and humility.

For the first time in 20 years, the time has come for the Geneseo football program to find a new leader.

I sat down with Joe Nichols, Geneseo High School Athletic Director, to get the skinny on some of the rumors and to discuss the hiring progress.

“Geneseo Football is a community project. It was designed that way by Bob Reade.” said Joe Nichols. “It’s legacy is instilled in our great community. When you see the signs around town, John Deere tractors and combines, fireworks, all that community involvement goes directly back to Bob Reade.”

I asked Nichols about carrying on the ‘Green Machine’ legacy and how that would be presented to candidates. Nichols replied, “The high school administration understands the weight of this position and we know we need to continue the ‘Green Machine’ legacy and how important it is to Geneseo. There’s a roadmap that has been drawn for us. We need to honor that legacy, but not be afraid to reinvent ourselves. We always need to be working to be better.”

Nichols continued, “We know that community members have their ears to the ground to pick up any detail of information they can about the hiring process.” Nichols noted that GHS has been keeping things close to the chest. “We’re keeping things quiet for a few reasons. The most important is to protect those who may currently be employed elsewhere but are interested in the head football coach position in Geneseo. Any issues with privacy can very damaging to potential hires but also to GHS and we take confidentiality very seriously.” Nichols continued, “People should feel safe in applying for a position they may or may not get.”

“We’re offering what we feel is a great livelihood, what we feel is a great community to raise your kids, it’s a great community to represent, and we want to protect those people who are taking that leap of faith with us. We’ll release more information when it’s appropriate. Interviews will be starting very soon.” said Nichols.

After garnering enough courage, I asked Mr. Nichols a question I thought I could get away with. “Simply put, are you pleased with the applications from potential candidates?” Mr. Nichols replied with a brief statement, “We’re looking for our next great head coach. We’ve received a lot of applications and there are multiple candidates that would make a great Geneseo football coach.”