New Trier assistant gets shot at head coaching

He's finally getting his shot.

One year after he was passed over for the head football coaching position at New Trier, Brian Doll is ready to take the next step in his career.

The former Trevian assistant was recently named the head coach at Elk Grove High School and has already hit the ground running in an effort to turn around a program that won just seven games in the last four years under the previous head coach, Tom Whalen.

The 32-year-old Doll coached at both the sophomore and varsity levels for the past nine seasons at New Trier. He's also a former Trevian baseball and football player, so cutting ties with his hometown school wasn't easy to do.

"It's a little bittersweet for me to leave New Trier," admitted Doll, who will join the physical education staff at Elk Grove after teaching at Highcrest Middle School for nine years. "I've made some amazing friendships there. Bob Spagnoli and Jason Dane have been pushing me for years, telling me I was ready to be a head coach, and they've rooted for me to realize this dream all along.

"I felt I grew more as a coach this year (with new coach Matt Irvin in charge) than I ever have, and I thank Matt for the mentoring he did. He gave me the chance to run our defense as I saw fit.

"The other tough thing is that I'll be leaving some kids I've been coaching since they were in fourth or fifth grade."

Elk Grove posted a 2-7 record last year, but the current sophomore class was undefeated and two sophomores -- including quarterback Nick Meyer -- played for the varsity.

Elk Grove has an enrollment of approximately 2,100 and competes in the Mid-Suburban League East.

"I was very selective about the schools I looked at. But when Elk Grove came open, I called them within 24 hours," said Doll. "I've always really liked that conference because those towns are all so supportive of their football teams. They pack the stands in the MSL every night, and the school really revolves around football.

"I also knew the administration would be very supportive. I can really sense a buzz out there in the community. They're ready to go -- and so am I."