Immaculate Conception has announced the promotion of Mike Alberts to the position of head football coach. He will replace Bill Schmidt, who resigned after leading the Knights to a state title this fall.
"It is exciting," said Alberts, who went to St. Laurence high school before graduating from Illinois Wesleyan with Schmidt. "Obviously if you are a career coach and that is what you want to do with your life, becoming a head coach someday is a goal you set. On the other hand, it is not quite as satisfying knowing a good friend of mine had to step down for me to get it."
Alberts has been part of the ICHS football staff since 2002, when was the defensive coordinator for the 2002 3A State Championship season under Bob Cozzi. He then moved to assistant head coach in 2005 where he has worked side by side with Schmidt. Alberts has also been the offensive coordinator since 2005, including this past season when IC won their last six games of the season to capture the Class 2A championship.
"What we are really trying to do is keep the continuity in the program," Alberts said. "We want the players to know little will change. Things will be taught the same way, they will be treated the same way. The offense and defense won't change. I want it to be a smooth transition. The only thing to change will be the name at the top of the program.
"A lot of things will be similar to Bill, though our personalities might be a little different. But we certainly are the same as far as values and vision of the program. What the kids got from Bill is what they will get from me. We want to make sure the kids are doing the right thing and that we continue with all the life lessons we work hard on."
