Longtime White Bear Lake football coach Bob Jackson announced his retirement Sunday to players and their parents at the team banquet.
Jackson arrived at White Bear Lake in 1993 after coaching Spring Lake Park to a state title in 1991. He led the Bears to state from 1997-99 and again in 2002.
White Bear Lake activities director Tim Hermann said it was Jackson’s less heralded contributions that define his legacy.
“It’s always difficult to replace someone who has worked the way he has with student-athletes,” Hermann said. “There was a real love from Bob toward his players and that’s something not everyone outside the program could know.”
Jackson’s announcement Sunday mirrored his coaching and play-calling styles: no-nonsense, straightforward and more emphasis on substance than style.
“I’m told he did it at the end, almost in passing,” said Hermann, who was not at the banquet. “And I’m told he got a standing ovation. He wasn’t comfortable with it but it was deserved.”
Hermann said he would like to find a new football coach by spring and believes the program should attract its share of interest.
“That’s my hope,” Hermann said. “We play in a great conference, we have a great history and Bob built a great program. I’m hoping we get a mix of young assistants who have been coordinators and head coaches who see this as a step up.”
SCHOOL | 2011 COACH | 2012 COACH |
---|---|---|
Alden-Conger | Nick Willaert | TBD |
Austin | Matt Schmit | Brett Vesel |
Bagley | Andrew Brouwer | Brandon Schwegel |
Barnum | Kevin Haley | Brian Robertson |
Blaine | Shannon Gerrety | Tom Develich |
Brandon/Evansville | Greg Lanners Mike Quist |
Tim Pattrin |
Carlton | Dennis Korman | TBD |
Duluth Marshall | David Homstad | Jim Hogan |
Little Falls | Aaron Sinclair | Jay DeCann |
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley-Laporte | N/A | Aaron Pfeiffer |
Mankato East | Dave Frisell | Eric Davis |
Minneapolis Patrick Henry | John Swain | Mark Heiser |
Minnehaha Academy | Jordan Baynard Brandon Norberg |
TBD |
Mound-Westonka | Kyle Inforzata | Barry Bower |
New Ulm | Rob Bute | Anthony Ortmann |
Pine Island | Tom Krambeer | John Stapleton |
Rochester Mayo | Kevin Landherr | Donny Holcomb |
Sartell-St. Stephen | John Ross | Scott Hentges |
St. James | Lee Carlson | Jeff Whitney |
St. Paul Academy/Mounds Park Academy | Mark Heiser | Ed Perrault |
Wadena-Deer Creek | Tom VanErp | Howie Kangas |
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley | Pete Naugle | Aaron Pfeiffer |
White Bear Lake | Bob Jackson | Ryan Bartlett |