Q&A with new Buffalo Grove football coach DiMatteo

BY GEORGE M. WILCOX gwilcox@pioneerlocal.com January 16, 2012 12:02PM

Mike DiMatteo, seen here at Hinsdale Central practice, has been named the new head football coach at Buffalo Grove. Stacia Timonere/For the Sun-Times

Updated: February 20, 2012 8:35AM

Mike DiMatteo’s tenure as an assistant football coach lasted one season.

The former coach at Lake Zurich High School and Hinsdale Central was named the new coach at Buffalo Grove on Friday after spending 2011 as the quarterbacks coach at Glenbard West. DiMatteo worked with senior quarterback Justice Odom and junior Henry Haeffner, who led the Hilltoppers to an undefeated regular season and a West Suburban Silver Conference championship.

It was the first time DiMatteo did not work as a head coach in over a decade. He went 35-20 in five seasons at Hinsdale Central and led the Red Devils to the 2008 IHSA Class 8A state championship game. Before that, DiMatteo was 36-25 in six seasons at Lake Zurich.

DiMatteo is an award-winning social studies teacher and writes a world history-oriented blog, “The Path Less Chosen,” at www.historyguy31.blogspot.com.

While attending a conference over the weekend in Barcelona, the Cary resident agreed to answer questions via email from staff writer George M. Wilcox:

Q. How much are you looking forward to being back on the sideline as a head coach?

A. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to lead the BG football program, and being part of the Bison tradition. I did miss being a head coach, but I am also quite grateful to my good friend Chad Hetlet and Glenbard West for the opportunity to be part of one of the premier football programs in the state. Truly, it was a great experience for me, and we at BG will be working toward that level of play.

Q. Will the trip to Buffalo Grove be a lot easier for you instead of Hinsdale Central?

A. For me, the travel just went from 88 miles round trip to 38 miles round trip. An over-an-hour trip is now 26 minutes, so from that standpoint, it will be a huge difference.

Q. What challenges await at BG that differ from Hinsdale Central or Lake Zurich?

A. The most difficult part, initially, will be getting the players to understand our philosophy of hard work and discipline. Discipline does not mean punishment, but rather the willingness to do what is needed in order to have the opportunity to be successful. Discipline is a habit, and we have to instill that in our players at all levels. Once we have our expectations in place, our standards set, and the players and coaches are on the same page in that regard, we will be on the road we need to travel.

Q. What were your impressions of the BG program during your time at Lake Zurich?

A. When we played BG in summer passing leagues, the athletic kids always stood out. Coach (Rich) Roberts and his staff did a great job with them during those years, and with players like (Tom) Zbikowski and Chris Hare, they were fun to watch go about their business. In 2002, we were preparing for either them or Prospect, and we knew we had our work cut out for us with either team. Tough, disciplined kids, always a winning combination.

Q. What did you learn about being a head coach during your stint at Glenbard West?

A. Chad Hetlet and his staff are some of the finest people I know, collectively and individually. The GBW football family is a close-knit group, and being part of that for a season simply cemented what I already knew. If you are willing to work hard and do it as a team, great things can be accomplished. People united in a common bond, without ego, is powerful. It was a great experience and one I will remember for a long time.

Q. What are the next steps for you at BG?

A. My primary concern right now is getting the ball rolling with working with the staff, players, and administration to make our transition as smooth and seamless as possible, as well as getting to know our players. I hope they are looking forward to it as much as I am.

Q. Is trying to turn around BG comparable to what you did by turning around Lake Zurich?

A. There are similarities, yes. Both are excellent schools with a solid administration as well as athletes that want to succeed, and both have great school spirit. We knew these things to be true when we were at LZ, and know them to be true at BG. We are looking forward to the opportunity to be part of it all at BG.

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