All Morton High School wanted was to have the least disruptive scenario for the football program. That left the Mustangs with the opportunity to promote varsity offensive coordinator George Baglione to head coach.

Baglione was previously the Morton football head coach from 1990-91 to 1994-95 and was also the football head coach at Crete-Monee High School from 1985-86 to 1989-90. He will serve as interim head coach until the end of the 2009 campaign and plans to retire from coaching and teaching physical education at the end of the school year.

“We're committed to this upcoming season,” said the Mustangs’ athletic director Steve Lemon. “George (Baglione) has the experience and we're confident in him and his coaching staff. We looked at our options. We wanted somebody within the program. He responded well to the idea.”

Baglione takes over for former-Morton head coach Tony Asay after the first-year head coach submitted his resignation to the District 201 school board on Wednesday, June 17. Asay was unable to be reached for comment but Lemon told the Life that the resignation was due to “personal reasons”.

Baglione, who worked under Asay as an offensive coordinator last year, placed calls to the former-head coach’s cell phone to find out the specific reasons for the resignation and has yet to hear back.

“This took us all by surprise,” said Baglione, who will remain as offensive coordinator. “I don’t know the particulars. He was devoted and he will be missed. We’re moving forward. I feel bad that he won’t be able to realize the fortunes of his labor.”

The Mustangs’ football team went 1-8 overall and 0-6 in the West Suburban Gold Conference in 2008, but earned their first win since 2005 by edging Farragut 22-14 in week one.

“I think we’ll be improved,” Baglione said. “The coaching staff and the kids have been working hard since the end of last season. We need to play better, execute and be more consistent. It’s been a struggle here and we want to get things in the right direction. This team is one of the harder working groups I’ve been around and it’s been a very productive camp. We’re optimistic.”

According to Lemon, the head coaching position will be re-opened once the 2009 campaign comes to an end .

“We will be looking for a coach to lead us for the future,” Lemon said. “Right now, we feel confident with George (Baglione) and his coaching staff.”