Nudera steps down at Oak Park

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:10PM

Oak Park head football coach Jim Nudera came to school on

Friday with the intention of resigning.

Nudera was told by Oak Park principal Nathaniel Rouse to think about the

decision over the weekend.

Time made no difference as Nudera submitted a letter of resignation on

Tuesday morning.

"My wife (Linda) and I started talking about this at the end of last year,"

said Nudera, who's first season with the Huskies was 1999. "This was my

son's last year at York and the other (three) kids are getting older as

well. This is the right time to spend more time with my family. I managed to

balance things in the past, but felt that wasn't right any longer.

"I made a commitment to the student athletes at this high school to be here

for them this year."

Nudera had a career mark of 41-67 at Oak Park and qualified for the Class 8A

State playoffs three times.

"I had the privledge of my son (Kyle Allen) wrestling and playing football

for Jim Nudera," Oak Park assistant football coach Al Allen said. "My son is

better because of it."

Nudera, who will continue to teach driver's education, said it's too early

to tell what the future will be in terms of coaching football.

Nudera has coached football at the collegiate level at Michigan State as a

graduate assistant, and in high school at Fenwick, Morton, Marist, Prospect

and Elgin.

"Coaching is in my blood," said Nudera, who had the most seniority among

football coaches in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division. "I enjoy

this game so much."

Oak Park athletic director John Stelzer said he was surprised to hear the news

of Nudera possibly resigning.

"Jim Nudera is undoubtedly one of the most committed, hard working coaches

that I have had the pleasure to work," Stelzer said. "His passion for the

game of football and for teaching kids is unmatched,"

Nudera had some advice on what the next coach at Oak Park will need.

"He will need to bring a lot of energy, and a full-commitment from all the

players and coaches," Nudera said. "I told the administration I will do

whatever I can (until a new coach is selected)."

Nudera was the 18th coach in program history.

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