EDITOR’S NOTE: Story was updated to add quotes from Lindsey.
BLOOMINGTON ― After just one year, Anthony Lindsey has resigned as Bloomington North High School football coach. He is also leaving the school as a teacher and assistant athletic director.
Lindsey handed in his letter of resignation on May 19, leaving the Cougars in a situation where all options are on the table as to how to proceed moving forward. The assistant coaching staff has taken the reins, North athletic director Andy Hodson said.
“He’s exploring other job opportunities and to spend more time with family,” Hodson said Tuesday, May 27. “So, with the timing, we’re hitting the ground running with trying to find a replacement.
“We just got the job posted today, and I sent out an email to every coach and assistant coach in the state through the IHSAA site to see what interest we have. We’re not ruling out any options of a head coach, interim head coach or anything and everything. It will be open until its filled so we’ll start interviewing as fast as we can.”
The 40-year-old Lindsey was a three-sport standout for the Cougars and all-time passing leader at North before going on to a storied career at St. Joseph’s College and beginning his teaching and coaching career.
He was an assistant coach for 15 years at Martinsville, Bloomington South and North (from 2020-23) before his promotion to head coach, which he called his ‘dream job.’ North went 8-3 in Lindsey’s only season, beating rival South for the second year in a row the regular season only to fall to the Panthers in the playoffs.
Lindsey echoed Hodson’s comments and is committed to making a big change in his career path. For now, he’s getting out of coaching and perhaps education all together.
“It was time to get out of the classroom,” Lindsey said. “I’m exploring different job opportunities right now. I love coaching, but it’s time to get out spend more time with family.
“I’ve also had a couple deaths in my family the last couple years that changed my perspective in things, with my brother and mom passing away. Things happen. Things change.”
Defensive line coach Brad Engel has been named the interim head coach. Summer workouts were scheduled to start on June 2. The annual youth football camp set for July 8-10 is still on.
The rest of the staff includes Alex Cotterman (offensive coordinator/offensive line), Mike Freel (special teams/OL), Kyle Goble (OL/DL), Jason Hankins (running backs), Reece Lozano (strength and conditioning/QBs), Paul Prather (defensive backs), Jesse Spurgeon (OC/WR/TE), Sam Werczynski (DBs), Brody Schaeffer (skill positions) and Michael Sukiennik.
“We’ve got a more than capable assistant coaching staff,” Hodson said. “Some may be interested in the head coaching job, and we’re encouraging as many people to apply to get the best candidate for now and the future for our program.”
The next two MCCSC school board meetings are set for June 24 and July 22. Hodson said the school could get a waiver to get a new coach on the job before full schoolboard approval if the timing dictated that need.
The football head coach and the assistant AD position have been linked for many years now. Hodson was not sure if that would continue.
It’s been a tough stretch for Hodson, who already has openings for girls volleyball, girls golf and gymnastics to be filled. Plus MCCSC is currently in a budget crisis, announcing deep cuts to support staff.
Big roster changes for North
The Cougars’ roster is also in a bit of flux. North has seen two of its best players, receiver Jalen Williams and linebacker Ross Ogden, transfer to Bloomington South mid-semester. Ogden recently committed to Northern Illinois while Williams has received several DI offers. Rising sophomore Javen Brooks, younger brother of senior receiver Jorian Brooks, is headed to North Central in Indianapolis.
On the plus side, rising 6-foot-5, 195-pound senior quarterback John Bargan, son of new Indiana University men’s assistant basketball coach Mike Bargen, is headed to North. He also plays basketball.
A knee injury forced him to miss just one football game and the entire basketball season last year at Dunlap, Illinois, located just north of Peoria where his dad worked for Bradley University.
As a junior, he was 87-of-138 for 1,211 yards with 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Dunlap went 7-4, making the Class 6A playoffs (out of eight classes). Dunlap was expected to be a state title contender had he returned with senior four-star tight end Mack Sutter.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington North scrambling after football coach Anthony Lindsey resigns
Reporting by Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
