Top 25 Best Football Jobs in NWI

[Jimbo23]

Drawing some inspiration from my Region 1 top 25. I felt like making this list to facilitate some conversation about our area's top football schools. I took into account their enrollment, population, community involvement, resources, facilities, recent history of winning, recent history of quality players, willingness to accept new students (transfers), and general care for athletic (specifically football) success.
1. Crown Point (6A)
2. Merrillville (5A)
3. Valparaiso (5A)
4. Hobart (4A)
5. Andrean (2A)
6. Lowell (4A)
7. Griffith (3A)
8. Morton (5A soon to be 4A)
9. Chesterton (5A)
10. Hanover Central (4A)
11. Wheeler (2A)
12. Michigan City (5A)
13. Calumet (3A)
14. Lake Central (6A)
15. LaPorte (5A)
16. Portage (6A)
17. Munster (5A)
18. River Forest (3A)
19. Kankakee Valley (4A)
20. Boone Grove (2A)
21. West Side (4A)
22. Highland (4A)
23. Whiting (2A)
24. Bishop Noll (3A)
25. East Chicago (4A)
Outside Looking In: Bowman Academy (1A), Lake Station (2A), South Central (1A), and Hammond Central (5A)

[BallinFreak]

Looking at that list makes me sad. Lake Central. Portage. Munster and Highland should all be higher. The region would be such a stronger area if those schools right there were solid football programs. Nothing against Morton and Calumet but the fact that they are ahead of these programs is just sad.

[NWI10]

How about the Bombers?

[Jimbo23]

How about the Bombers?

Coach Nowlin 2.0 will be able to tell you more than me but based on what I know about the 29 listed teams below and the tiny bit I know about the Bombers... I would put the Bombers between Michigan City and Calumet or between Calumet and Lake Central. You could argue them into the back end of the top 10 and I wouldn't fight you too much.

1. Crown Point (6A)
2. Merrillville (5A)
3. Valparaiso (5A)
4. Hobart (4A)
5. Andrean (2A)
6. Lowell (4A)
7. Griffith (3A)
8. Morton (5A soon to be 4A)
9. Chesterton (5A)
10. Hanover Central (4A)
11. Wheeler (2A)
12. Michigan City (5A)
--> Rensselaer (2A)
13. Calumet (3A)
14. Lake Central (6A)
15. LaPorte (5A)
16. Portage (6A)
17. Munster (5A)
18. River Forest (3A)
19. Kankakee Valley (4A)
20. Boone Grove (2A)
21. West Side (4A)
22. Highland (4A)
23. Whiting (2A)
24. Bishop Noll (3A)
25. East Chicago (4A)
Outside Looking In: Bowman Academy (1A), Lake Station (2A), South Central (1A), and Hammond Central (5A)

[scarab527]

How about the Bombers?

Coach Nowlin 2.0 will be able to tell you more than me but based on what I know about the 29 listed teams below and the tiny bit I know about the Bombers... I would put the Bombers between Michigan City and Calumet or between Calumet and Lake Central. You could argue them into the back end of the top 10 and I wouldn't fight you too much.

1. Crown Point (6A)
2. Merrillville (5A)
3. Valparaiso (5A)
4. Hobart (4A)
5. Andrean (2A)
6. Lowell (4A)
7. Griffith (3A)
8. Morton (5A soon to be 4A)
9. Chesterton (5A)
10. Hanover Central (4A)
11. Wheeler (2A)
12. Michigan City (5A)
--> Rensselaer (2A)
13. Calumet (3A)
14. Lake Central (6A)
15. LaPorte (5A)
16. Portage (6A)
17. Munster (5A)
18. River Forest (3A)
19. Kankakee Valley (4A)
20. Boone Grove (2A)
21. West Side (4A)
22. Highland (4A)
23. Whiting (2A)
24. Bishop Noll (3A)
25. East Chicago (4A)
Outside Looking In: Bowman Academy (1A), Lake Station (2A), South Central (1A), and Hammond Central (5A)

Is Michigan City really lower than Morton? I know that City has its problems but there's no way coaches around the area think Morton is a better job? Honesty, I'd put City over Wheeler, Griffith, Chesterton, probably Hanover too.

Also, Merrillville could arguably be #1 just by virtue of playing in 5A. Actual path to a title in that class as opposed to 6A. CP and Ville are definitely 1-2 though.

Griffith I think is overrated. No one thought that was a good job when Mason took over. Is it attractive now because of community/demographics or just because he's laid the foundation?

LC and Portage specifically are a disgrace being that low. Indictments on the entire school systems in those places.

Just some of my thoughts. Cool post and definitely a different topic than usual around here.

[Blue Top Drive Inn]

Drawing some inspiration from my Region 1 top 25. I felt like making this list to facilitate some conversation about our area's top football schools. I took into account their enrollment, population, community involvement, resources, facilities, recent history of winning, recent history of quality players, willingness to accept new students (transfers), and general care for athletic (specifically football) success.
1. Crown Point (6A)
2. Merrillville (5A)
3. Valparaiso (5A)
4. Hobart (4A)
5. Andrean (2A)
6. Lowell (4A)
7. Griffith (3A)
8. Morton (5A soon to be 4A)
9. Chesterton (5A)
10. Hanover Central (4A)
11. Wheeler (2A)
12. Michigan City (5A)
13. Calumet (3A)
14. Lake Central (6A)
15. LaPorte (5A)
16. Portage (6A)
17. Munster (5A)
18. River Forest (3A)
19. Kankakee Valley (4A)
20. Boone Grove (2A)
21. West Side (4A)
22. Highland (4A)
23. Whiting (2A)
24. Bishop Noll (3A)
25. East Chicago (4A)
Outside Looking In: Bowman Academy (1A), Lake Station (2A), South Central (1A), and Hammond Central (5A)

Some of these rankings are difficult to justify based on recent performance and program strength.

Starting with Morton — the program has limited success in recent years, minimal community support, one of the poorest turf fields in the area, and struggles to schedule a full slate of IHSAA opponents. At this point, they shouldn’t be considered a top-15 program.

Kankakee Valley (KV) drew a sellout crowd for its homecoming game against Lowell despite entering with zero wins. Fred Jones Field is one of the top facilities in the region, which makes it hard to understand why River Forest, with a grass field, would be ranked higher.

Whiting has a well-maintained stadium, a new turf field, and strong community backing. They deserve to be ranked above both River Forest and Highland.

Chesterton should be positioned closer to seventh — they have the infrastructure, enrollment, and potential to become a strong contender in the near future.

Lastly, Portage cannot reasonably be included in any ranking that prioritizes winning, given that the program has recorded only eight victories since 2020.

[Coach Nowlin 2.0]

I mean, we are like 12th in state in total program wins, somwhere north of 600 +

A football town with football tradition

Blue collar community that appreciates Weight room led teams and hard nose play on the field.

Rensselaer Rampage K-2nd Flag

Rensselaer Rampage 3-6th grade Tackle ( 2 teams, 3/4, and 5/6

Middle School that plays 6/7th and 8th grade schedule

OH, and a natural grass field that is so perfectly manucured its breathtaking

[Jimbo23]

How about the Bombers?

Coach Nowlin 2.0 will be able to tell you more than me but based on what I know about the 29 listed teams below and the tiny bit I know about the Bombers... I would put the Bombers between Michigan City and Calumet or between Calumet and Lake Central. You could argue them into the back end of the top 10 and I wouldn't fight you too much.

1. Crown Point (6A)
2. Merrillville (5A)
3. Valparaiso (5A)
4. Hobart (4A)
5. Andrean (2A)
6. Lowell (4A)
7. Griffith (3A)
8. Morton (5A soon to be 4A)
9. Chesterton (5A)
10. Hanover Central (4A)
11. Wheeler (2A)
12. Michigan City (5A)
--> Rensselaer (2A)
13. Calumet (3A)
14. Lake Central (6A)
15. LaPorte (5A)
16. Portage (6A)
17. Munster (5A)
18. River Forest (3A)
19. Kankakee Valley (4A)
20. Boone Grove (2A)
21. West Side (4A)
22. Highland (4A)
23. Whiting (2A)
24. Bishop Noll (3A)
25. East Chicago (4A)
Outside Looking In: Bowman Academy (1A), Lake Station (2A), South Central (1A), and Hammond Central (5A)

Is Michigan City really lower than Morton? I know that City has its problems but there's no way coaches around the area think Morton is a better job? Honesty, I'd put City over Wheeler, Griffith, Chesterton, probably Hanover too.

Also, Merrillville could arguably be #1 just by virtue of playing in 5A. Actual path to a title in that class as opposed to 6A. CP and Ville are definitely 1-2 though.

Griffith I think is overrated. No one thought that was a good job when Mason took over. Is it attractive now because of community/demographics or just because he's laid the foundation?

LC and Portage specifically are a disgrace being that low. Indictments on the entire school systems in those places.

Just some of my thoughts. Cool post and definitely a different topic than usual around here.

I know from my perspective and the people I've talked to on this topic, Michigan City is viewed as (and is) far away from everyone/ everything else. I would agree with you that there are aspects of City that make it a better job than all of those places you listed, Morton included. Michigan City and Morton (demographically, administratively, and otherwise) are a lot similar than people may realize. Michigan City is one that I expected a little push back on, and it's fair, but it's hard to ignore that their largest success has come with Phil Mason and only Phil Mason. Cody French has done a nice job and I think he is a good coach but it's hard to ignore that only Phil has truly won their in the last 30 years (Buzz included). Cody's actually the only one with a career winning record other than Mason (Cody is 15-14 at City).

I would agree that you could "twist my arm" and make Merrillville 1. I actually have them one personally but I felt like I would've been ousted given CP's recent success under Buzz and their community support is unmatched, as we're seeing.

I would think Griffith is overrated too especially given the stretches Griffith had from 2012-2014 and 2019-2022. But post-Radtke they've had two coaches with some semblance of success at Griffith (Geffert and Mason) plus they're building new indoor athletic facilities while constructing their new pool. Community is into athletics, demographics are good, pride is still there in the community (especially football), and Phil has laid out a good blue print for keeping Griffith as a "good job."

LC and Portage, couldn't agree more. Appreciate you interacting with it. Thought it would be fun for everyone around here.

[Jimbo23]

Drawing some inspiration from my Region 1 top 25. I felt like making this list to facilitate some conversation about our area's top football schools. I took into account their enrollment, population, community involvement, resources, facilities, recent history of winning, recent history of quality players, willingness to accept new students (transfers), and general care for athletic (specifically football) success.
1. Crown Point (6A)
2. Merrillville (5A)
3. Valparaiso (5A)
4. Hobart (4A)
5. Andrean (2A)
6. Lowell (4A)
7. Griffith (3A)
8. Morton (5A soon to be 4A)
9. Chesterton (5A)
10. Hanover Central (4A)
11. Wheeler (2A)
12. Michigan City (5A)
13. Calumet (3A)
14. Lake Central (6A)
15. LaPorte (5A)
16. Portage (6A)
17. Munster (5A)
18. River Forest (3A)
19. Kankakee Valley (4A)
20. Boone Grove (2A)
21. West Side (4A)
22. Highland (4A)
23. Whiting (2A)
24. Bishop Noll (3A)
25. East Chicago (4A)
Outside Looking In: Bowman Academy (1A), Lake Station (2A), South Central (1A), and Hammond Central (5A)

Some of these rankings are difficult to justify based on recent performance and program strength.

Starting with Morton — the program has limited success in recent years, minimal community support, one of the poorest turf fields in the area, and struggles to schedule a full slate of IHSAA opponents. At this point, they shouldn’t be considered a top-15 program.

Kankakee Valley (KV) drew a sellout crowd for its homecoming game against Lowell despite entering with zero wins. Fred Jones Field is one of the top facilities in the region, which makes it hard to understand why River Forest, with a grass field, would be ranked higher.

Whiting has a well-maintained stadium, a new turf field, and strong community backing. They deserve to be ranked above both River Forest and Highland.

Chesterton should be positioned closer to seventh — they have the infrastructure, enrollment, and potential to become a strong contender in the near future.

Lastly, Portage cannot reasonably be included in any ranking that prioritizes winning, given that the program has recorded only eight victories since 2020.

Morton - Community support is poor, agreed. Turf field is poor, agreed. Scheduling issues have been addressed on here MANY times, I won't waste time disproving that fake news story, again. There are NOT 14 jobs in NWI that I would take before Morton. Grass is NOT always greener.

KV - ZERO history of success. Their best coaches ever (Stewart and Kennedy) are 24-27 and 14-18, respectively, and those are two of the best football coaches in our area in the last 30+ years. If you think you (or anyone else) can do better because they sell out homecoming vs their biggest rival (Highland does that too vs Munster despite their record), then that's just plain ignorant. I know I coach better than a lot of people but probably not those two people (based on their track records).

Whiting - Community support has dwindled in recent years, this ain't your mamas Whiting. Lol but I won't disagree with the last part of your Whiting post, you could get me to agree that Whiting is better than those two places especially with their recent admin hires. I think Whiting is trending up but RSN doesn't have the upward trend emoji on here. Lol

Chesterton - I mentioned above, "the grass is not always greener," and here is your PERFECT example. Chesterton has won precisely 0 post season trophies in their entire existence. They have had quality football coaches in charge there for as long as I can remember. So WHY don't they WIN?!?! Sure, they HAVE IT ALL! But SOMETHING prevents winning from happening there, WHAT IS IT?! I don't know, never been around there but there is SOMETHING, or else they would've won before, right?!

I would've/ could've put Portage last but I tried to picture accepting the job at some of those places ranked behind em and I just couldn't picture it. Lol

[Jimbo23]

I mean, we are like 12th in state in total program wins, somwhere north of 600 +

A football town with football tradition

Blue collar community that appreciates Weight room led teams and hard nose play on the field.

Rensselaer Rampage K-2nd Flag

Rensselaer Rampage 3-6th grade Tackle ( 2 teams, 3/4, and 5/6

Middle School that plays 6/7th and 8th grade schedule

OH, and a natural grass field that is so perfectly manucured its breathtaking

I'm sold! Bombers at 4!!! Bump those Brickies down! LOL seriously though I knew Rensselaer would be an attractive job for someone when Coach Meeks decides to call it a career (and a fine one at that!) but I did not know HOW attractive. That's all good stuff. Love the field down there too. Truly is a great grass field!