Football: Boyter steps in as Joliet Central coach
Updated: July 14, 2012 6:23AM
When Mike Maloney resigned as Joliet Central football coach to accept the same position at Johnsburg, it could have been a devastating blow to the Steelmen’s hopes of becoming competitive in the rugged SouthWest Suburban Blue.
But from a positive perspective, a ready replacement was there, eager for his first shot at being a head coach.
Brett Boyter, previously Central’s offensive coordinator, was named Maloney’s replacement, and his summer is going well, especially from a numbers standpoint.
“We have enough kids out where we don’t have to have two-way players,” said Boyter, whose team debuted Tuesday in the University of St. Francis 7-on-7 Passing Jamboree at Memorial Stadium. “If we do use anybody both ways, it will only be in certain packages.
“By doing this, kids get more reps at their one position. They are learning that position better, which should lead to improvement on the field.”
The Steelmen have not won a game in two seasons since Joliet Township returned to separate programs at Central and West. Boyter is hoping the two-platoon system can change that.
“If you look at it, two-thirds of our games are played in warm weather,” he said. “Last season, we had games where we competed for a half, but we got tired in the second half and teams would shut us down more and score more on us. So the biggest thing is to not have guys going both ways, and maybe we can have special teams guys who are backups to starters.”
Boyter, who turns 31 Wednesday, played football at Joliet Catholic and the University of St. Francis before transferring to Illinois and spending 21/2 years there. He was Maloney’s teammate at Joliet Catholic and Illinois.
“Mike and I have known each other since we were 15,” he said. “We played together and lived together at the U of I. He is like a part of my family. Growing up, we went through a lot of the same experiences, and we have the same philosophical goals. We learned a lot of things from each other and are molded the same way. So much of what we are doing now is a continuation of what we started when Mike was here.”
Boyter, who will work directly with the quarterbacks and receivers, said he will have “the same core staff and it’s a very good staff,” so there will be continuity there. Kyle Knezetic, an assistant last season and also a former Illini, will be the defensive coordinator.
“Mike (Maloney) did an excellent job when the program split, an excellent job setting high expectations and organizing the program,” said Boyter, also a varsity baseball assistant. “That’s one of the most difficult things when you start a program. The tremendous job he did with organization and expectations, we are going to continue many of those things with me being the head coach.”
The ultimate goal is to win, and the most difficult victory may be the first.
“I really believe that when the first win comes, then you will see more,” Boyter said. “Our guys put pressure on themselves to get that first win. They will be able to relax a little when they get the first one.”
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