For the second time in ten months, former Bears kicker Robbie Gould was introduced as the new head football coach at an area high school.
Gould resigned from Rolling Meadows on Dec. 3 and was hired by St. Viator, the Catholic high school four miles northeast, on Dec. 10. The school held a news conference to introduce him on Thursday.
“I’m truly honored to be in this position,” Gould said. “I want to thank everyone involved in this hiring process. It was thorough and thoughtful, and it made it clear that St. Viator is a place where core values and hard work are prioritized. This is a school that places an emphasis on education, character development and service — values I personally believe in and that I see reflected in this football program.”
St. Viator was 4-5 this fall, losing five of its last six games, and didn’t make the playoffs. Coach David Archibald then resigned.
The Lions’ starting quarterback this year was senior Cooper Kmet, the younger brother of Bears tight end Cole Kmet. And there’s another significant connection to the Bears — Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton’s son, Jarrett, attended St. Viator.
Gould guided Rolling Meadows to the playoffs in his one season, improving them from two victories to five. His move to the Catholic League comes at a time of heightened attention around the public school vs. private school debate. Gould emphasized St. Viator’s facilities in his comments Thursday.
“The strength and conditioning program here is outstanding, and it’s a critical part of developing our athletes,” he said. “But it’s not just about physical strength. This program is about developing mental toughness, perseverance and teamwork. These core values will be the foundation of our football team moving forward.”
A few other ex-Bears are coaching high school football in the area. Former safety Tom Nelson is at Hersey, former fullback Jason McKie is at Carmel, and former running back Jordan Lynch is at Mount Carmel.
“As a former Penn State Nittany Lion, I understand the importance of tradition, and the alumni here are incredibly supportive,” Gould said. “I look forward to building a strong community of former players and supporters who will continue to help shape this program for years to come.”
