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.”
