Hinsdale South's Bitto steps down

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:02PM

Hinsdale School District 86 will have a second coaching opening for its two football programs after Alex Bitto resigned Friday after four seasons at Hinsdale South.

Bitto joins Hinsdale Central's Mike DiMatteo, who resigned Nov. 9 after coaching the Red Devils for five seasons.

"I was caught by surprise," Hinsdale South athletic director Tim Feigh said.

Feigh said Bitto will remain at the Darien school, where he is the Dean of Students. No reason was given for Bitto's resignation.

"He managed (both jobs) well," Feigh said. "As the Dean of Students, he helped with discipline in the program and I know the kids kept together."

Feigh said he plans to meet with Hinsdale South Principal Brian Waterman and expects to post both football coaching openings by the district after the Thanksgiving holiday. Bitto was an assistant coach under Jim Kirwan, who retired as the school's winningest coach after going 103-76 in 17 years. Bitto was formerly as assistant coach at Oswego before arriving at Hinsdale South.

Junior running back Kylen Williams, one of the Hornets' leading rushers, heard after the season that Bitto might resign, but dismissed it.

"I heard about it, but didn't think about it," Williams said. "At a meeting this morning, he told the football team. It was not a big shock, but still a shock."

Bitto went 10-26 at Hinsdale South. The Hornets (3-6, 2-4 West Suburban Gold in 2010) lost four consecutive games midway through the season and finished tied for fifth in the conference. Hinsdale South allowed 272 points this season, second most in the Gold Division to winless Proviso East, which allowed 315 points.

Bitto is the brother of Carmel coach Andy Bitto (114-39 in 13 years), who went 10-2 with the Corsairs this season and won the Class 6A state title in 2003.

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