Hildreth lands Willowbrook job

Updated: June 29, 2011 9:16PM

It took a while, but senior running back-linebacker Mike Sumang feels Willowbrook found its guy.

After a tumultuous offseason, the Warriors didn’t have to look very far for their next football coach. It just took a while for Nick Hildreth to get a second chance.

“I’m glad coach Hildreth got the job,” Sumang said. “I was pulling for him the first time, but he got it the second time.”

Willowbrook did not bring back Mark Olson as coach after seven years and a 2-7 record in 2010. The Warriors then hired Maine South assistant coach and Villa Park resident Scott Tumilty, a former Naperville Central standout running back, but Tumilty resigned May 3 after having the position for only a few weeks.

Suddenly, the 29-year-old Hildreth, a Willowbrook graduate, was back in the picture and accepted the position on an interim basis for 2011. His status will be determined after the season. Hildreth likes his situation and the fact that Willowbrook has hired a new athletic director in Bob Daly. Hildreth has been an assistant coach under Olson for the past four years and was the defensive coordinator the last two years.

“It’s great. I’m a graduate of Willowbrook in 2000. This is my dream job,” Hildreth said. “There is no where I would rather be as coach and no community I would rather be in.”

Hildreth graduated one year ahead of former Willowbrook star Matt Roth, who is currently a linebacker with the Cleveland Browns in his seventh season in the NFL. Roth visits his alma mater to meet with football players and wrestlers.

“He is the reason we have a youth program (in Villa Park). He donates to the league and the NFL doubles it,” Hildreth said.

Hildreth led the Warriors Tuesday in the first day of the inaugural West Suburban Conference 7-on-7 passing tournament. The tournament continues at 10 a.m. Thursday at Addison Trail. Hildreth still faces a rebuilding program. The Warriors lost four of their last five games last season by a combined score of 176-14.

“He was really helpful as a defensive coordinator,” Sumang said. “He knows what he’s talking about. You feel like he really cares about how we do in the end.”

Hildreth became the West Suburban Conference’s fourth new coach entering next season, joining Hinsdale South’s Mike Barry, Hinsdale Central’s Rich Tarka and Oak Park-River Forest’s John Hoerster. Proviso East has yet to name a new coach.

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