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Coach is back
Joe Oberneder reinstated for BMHS football
By Jim Franz
Sports Editor
After finding himself in occupational limbo most of the week, Joe Oberneder finally got a good night's sleep Thursday.
So did Beloit Memorial High School Principal Carlton Jenkins.
“It's like a weight is off both of us,” Jenkins said after announcing Friday morning he had reinstated Oberneder as head varsity football coach.
Jenkins delivered the news to both faculty and student body via the high school's public address system at 8 a.m.
It was a definite change of heart for Jenkins. Monday, he said he was going to re-post the football position after Oberneder, a January hire, had not met a deadline concerning certain mandates. One involved the coach accepting a defensive coordinator candidate chosen by Jenkins and Athletic Director Jeff Goodwine. The other main point was Oberneder agreeing to teach physical education and health at the high school next fall. He is currently a phy ed instructor at two Beloit grade schools.
“Joe, Jeff and I sat down for a real serious conversation Thursday,” Jenkins said. “What I liked is that we were all focused on the students throughout the discussion. It was a family discussion behind closed doors and I think the family came out of there together.
“I came out of this with a great respect for Jeff Goodwine and his role and Mr. Oberneder and how he stepped up. I think I appreciate both of them more now than I did before.”
Jenkins said he and Oberneder always had the same goals in mind, but with a few philosophical differences.
“Sometimes you make a good decision and sometimes you make a bad decision,” he said. “Through this whole thing, the way it played out, I'm the one who probably made the most mistakes. I'm OK with that. Right now, I'm very confident in where we're going and that's the most important thing to me.
“It won't be business as usual next season. The expectations are different. Beloit's football program and athletic program in general are going to be back on the right track.”
The outcome of Thursday's conversation was that Oberneder is back as coach, he can select his own staff - subject to the approval of the administration - and he can continue teaching grade school kids.
“Joe will work with Mr. Goodwine, and they will pick the coaching staff,” Jenkins said. “The defensive coordinator that was mentioned is off the table. I will say that I was just trying to support Joe, but he convinced me he was confident in who he can name to the position. To be honest, I like his fight and I like his level of sincerity in what he thinks he can do.”
Jenkins also backed off on any demand that Oberneder teach at the high school - at least for now.
“I wanted Joe in the building, but he convinced me that he could be here, early in the morning before school as well as after school,” Jenkins said. “I have confidence he can do that. His heart really is with teaching kids at the elementary level. We left the door open. We'll try it and see how it goes.”
Goodwine said all his discussions with Oberneder have been positive and wishes the problems that existed would have been resolved before becoming public knowledge.
“There's a misconception that we don't get along,” the athletic director said. “Joe and I have been friends for 13 years and we're still friends. We came up with a situation where he had an opinion and I had an opinion. I've always had confidence in Joe. He's a great teacher and I know the kids get the proper training. He's hands-on with the kids and that's exactly what we need.
“I think we would have resolved this eventually regardless. It's too bad it got out of the building because a lot of misinformation gets spread around. That can hurt the kids. You never want them put in the middle.”
Oberneder said any problems are in the past. He's ready to get on with the task of rebuilding Beloit's once-proud football program.
“We had a disagreement, we handled it like gentlemen and we're moving on,” he said. “There's no question they will support me.”
Oberneder was hired in January to replace retiring Ed Gavigan. When it looked like he was out of a job on Monday, it created a tremendous outpouring of support for the new coach. His termination was to be discussed at Tuesday's School Board meeting.
“I've been overwhelmed by the support of the players, parents, staff and the community,” Oberneder said. “The community wants to see us win, but they also want to see a program that everyone is included, right down to the lower levels. That's our goal. I think we can get everyone excited about it. If they keep working as hard as they are right now, the winning will take care of itself.”
Jenkins said he wants a program the community can be proud of again.
“Joe, Jeff and I have all been part of a championship spirit here in the past,” he said. “That's what we want again. Our conversation brought us all back to where we need to be.”
For anyone wondering if there weren't larger problems at BMHS for Jenkins to focus on, he has a quick response.
“I was brought in with the whole idea of rejuvenating the Purple Knights - academically, athletically, socially, our whole image,” he said. “For me, be it theater, athletics, whatever, how students represent themselves in the community, I'm going to be involved with it. I work with the students, the faculty and community members. All of it is important.
“Football at Beloit should be huge and anything that can maximize the opportunities for our students and build the image of our city, I'm going to be critically involved with.”
The Knights haven't reached the playoffs since advancing to the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals in 1999. Since then, Beloit has had four winless seasons and has won just six of its past 63 games. The Knights lost 27 straight games overall and 28 Big Eight Conference games before they knocked off Madison East, 44-41, in their 2006 season finale.
Gavigan resigned after that win and Oberneder, a long-time assistant, was named to replace him. Oberneder has been involved with the program for 12 years and has served as offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator as well as a position coach on both sides of the football. He also was a sophomore head coach.
By Jim Franz
Sports Editor
After finding himself in occupational limbo most of the week, Joe Oberneder finally got a good night's sleep Thursday.
So did Beloit Memorial High School Principal Carlton Jenkins.
“It's like a weight is off both of us,” Jenkins said after announcing Friday morning he had reinstated Oberneder as head varsity football coach.
Jenkins delivered the news to both faculty and student body via the high school's public address system at 8 a.m.
It was a definite change of heart for Jenkins. Monday, he said he was going to re-post the football position after Oberneder, a January hire, had not met a deadline concerning certain mandates. One involved the coach accepting a defensive coordinator candidate chosen by Jenkins and Athletic Director Jeff Goodwine. The other main point was Oberneder agreeing to teach physical education and health at the high school next fall. He is currently a phy ed instructor at two Beloit grade schools.
“Joe, Jeff and I sat down for a real serious conversation Thursday,” Jenkins said. “What I liked is that we were all focused on the students throughout the discussion. It was a family discussion behind closed doors and I think the family came out of there together.
“I came out of this with a great respect for Jeff Goodwine and his role and Mr. Oberneder and how he stepped up. I think I appreciate both of them more now than I did before.”
Jenkins said he and Oberneder always had the same goals in mind, but with a few philosophical differences.
“Sometimes you make a good decision and sometimes you make a bad decision,” he said. “Through this whole thing, the way it played out, I'm the one who probably made the most mistakes. I'm OK with that. Right now, I'm very confident in where we're going and that's the most important thing to me.
“It won't be business as usual next season. The expectations are different. Beloit's football program and athletic program in general are going to be back on the right track.”
The outcome of Thursday's conversation was that Oberneder is back as coach, he can select his own staff - subject to the approval of the administration - and he can continue teaching grade school kids.
“Joe will work with Mr. Goodwine, and they will pick the coaching staff,” Jenkins said. “The defensive coordinator that was mentioned is off the table. I will say that I was just trying to support Joe, but he convinced me he was confident in who he can name to the position. To be honest, I like his fight and I like his level of sincerity in what he thinks he can do.”
Jenkins also backed off on any demand that Oberneder teach at the high school - at least for now.
“I wanted Joe in the building, but he convinced me that he could be here, early in the morning before school as well as after school,” Jenkins said. “I have confidence he can do that. His heart really is with teaching kids at the elementary level. We left the door open. We'll try it and see how it goes.”
Goodwine said all his discussions with Oberneder have been positive and wishes the problems that existed would have been resolved before becoming public knowledge.
“There's a misconception that we don't get along,” the athletic director said. “Joe and I have been friends for 13 years and we're still friends. We came up with a situation where he had an opinion and I had an opinion. I've always had confidence in Joe. He's a great teacher and I know the kids get the proper training. He's hands-on with the kids and that's exactly what we need.
“I think we would have resolved this eventually regardless. It's too bad it got out of the building because a lot of misinformation gets spread around. That can hurt the kids. You never want them put in the middle.”
Oberneder said any problems are in the past. He's ready to get on with the task of rebuilding Beloit's once-proud football program.
“We had a disagreement, we handled it like gentlemen and we're moving on,” he said. “There's no question they will support me.”
Oberneder was hired in January to replace retiring Ed Gavigan. When it looked like he was out of a job on Monday, it created a tremendous outpouring of support for the new coach. His termination was to be discussed at Tuesday's School Board meeting.
“I've been overwhelmed by the support of the players, parents, staff and the community,” Oberneder said. “The community wants to see us win, but they also want to see a program that everyone is included, right down to the lower levels. That's our goal. I think we can get everyone excited about it. If they keep working as hard as they are right now, the winning will take care of itself.”
Jenkins said he wants a program the community can be proud of again.
“Joe, Jeff and I have all been part of a championship spirit here in the past,” he said. “That's what we want again. Our conversation brought us all back to where we need to be.”
For anyone wondering if there weren't larger problems at BMHS for Jenkins to focus on, he has a quick response.
“I was brought in with the whole idea of rejuvenating the Purple Knights - academically, athletically, socially, our whole image,” he said. “For me, be it theater, athletics, whatever, how students represent themselves in the community, I'm going to be involved with it. I work with the students, the faculty and community members. All of it is important.
“Football at Beloit should be huge and anything that can maximize the opportunities for our students and build the image of our city, I'm going to be critically involved with.”
The Knights haven't reached the playoffs since advancing to the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals in 1999. Since then, Beloit has had four winless seasons and has won just six of its past 63 games. The Knights lost 27 straight games overall and 28 Big Eight Conference games before they knocked off Madison East, 44-41, in their 2006 season finale.
Gavigan resigned after that win and Oberneder, a long-time assistant, was named to replace him. Oberneder has been involved with the program for 12 years and has served as offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator as well as a position coach on both sides of the football. He also was a sophomore head coach.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of beloitdailynews.com.
Ed Rosenberg, Cape May Court House, N.J. wrote on Apr 21, 2007 6:26 PM:
" The community wants to see us win, but they also want to see a program that everyone is included, right down to the lower levels. That's our goal."
Coach,
You must be a special guy. Try your best to do what your community wants.
Everyone will be happy...and I'll bet you'll win your share of games, too.
Good luck.
"
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Sarah Eddy, Beloit, WI wrote on Apr 21, 2007 3:12 PM: