Valpo names Coyle head football coach

VALPARAISO | Continuity.

It's long been a hallmark of Valparaiso prep football, which is going on just its third head coach in the last 50 years.

"I inherited a good program," said Mark Hoffman, who took over from Tom Stokes in 1977. "Thirty-five years later, the game has completely changed, but we've kept pace. Not many schools our size have done what we've done. What it came down to was, do you want to move in a new direction or do you want a turnkey operation?"

Hoffman, who retired as coach at season's end, officially passed the torch Tuesday. Dave Coyle, a Vikings assistant coach since 1991 and most recently the defensive coordinator, was approved as Valpo's next head coach.

"I'm proud to say I've been a part of Valparaiso since 1990," Coyle said. "It's a great school corporation and great community. I can't tell you how excited I am to move forward with this opportunity. I'm like a kid in a candy shop. This is like a Christmas gift."

Coyle was the only current Valpo assistant coach to apply. Because it was widely believed the school would hire from within, there was virtually no interest from around the area, Hoffman said. Several phone interviews were done, but Coyle was the only one to get a face-to-face meeting.

"Look at how many of those guys could be coaches somewhere else," said Hoffman, the school's athletic director. "Dave's the most qualified. I like his passion for the game, the work ethic he brings. He's a stickler for attention to detail. When the time comes, there'll be no stone unturned. He's going to do everything he possibly can to put the best product on the field, which is the key to being successful in coaching, regardless of the sport."

Coyle had not been a head coach prior to last spring, when he took over the baseball program. He will continue in that capacity for the immediate future and eventually re-evaluate his ability to do both. As a teacher, he also directs the school's marine biology class trip to Florida each summer.

"I'm surrounded by great coaches," Coyle said. "It's not going to be easy, but it's something I think I'm capable of doing. I haven't been on the job yet, and I'm only getting five hours of sleep. But if I didn't love it, I wouldn't do it."

Coyle will meet with the players today and begin discussing plans with the staff.

"Mark's shared a lot of information with me and has brought me into the decision-making the last few years," he said. "The beauty of it is he's still going to be in the building. It's not like he's riding off into the sunset."