One Peoria-area coach is entering the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association hall of fame as a member of the class of 2026.
Farmington head coach Toby Vallas will be honored on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the annual hall of fame banquet. Vallas is one of six active coaches to be enshrined as part of the 16-member class.
Vallas completed his 12th season in 2025, winning his 100th career game in Week 8. His career records sits at 103-23 (.817) with 10 consecutive playoff appearances highlighted by a run to the 2024 Class 2A semifinals.
He ranks as the second winningest Farmington football coach behind 25-season coach Walter Grebe (149-69-14) as Farmington celebrated its 100th year of the program this past season.
Princeton assistant coach Charlie Waca is one of three assistants to enter the hall.
Former South Beloit football coach and athletics director Drew Potthoff will receive the 2026 Ray Eliot Award. This distinction recognizes an individual who has made valuable contributions to Illinois high school football.
2026 IHSFCA hall of fame class
Here is the complete list of coaches being inducted as part of the 2026 hall of fame class.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: One of Peoria area’s most successful football coaches headed to Illinois hall of fame
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
