Milestones are subjective. 100 wins for a high school football coach is impressive, if he’s coached for 15 seasons or less. For high-fives and a celebratory barbeque, a high school baseball coach should reach 100 wins in six years or less (totally my parameters. that’s 17 wins or so in a 30-something game schedule).
Which brings me to New Trier baseball coach Mike Napoleon.
After Monday’s 7-3 loss to Libertyville, the Trevians are 16-8 and Napoleon’s at 699 wins for his career. I’m not exactly sure of the number of years he’s been a head coach, but the St. Patrick graduate started at Notre Dame in 1984, moved on to Providence before landing at New Trier in 1996. Napoleon’s definitely averaged more than 20 wins a year and probably well above that since coming to the Winnetka school.
Veteran Simeon coach Leroy Franklin claimed his 700th win Monday with a 9-0 victory over Morgan Park. According to Sun-Times freelancer Clyde Travis, Franklin is the 10th coach in the state to reach that mark.
Shortly after arriving at New Trier, Napoleon made the Trevians a state power. He’s won two state titles — the only two in program history — and also finished second twice. He’s won 10 CSL South championships, 10 regional titles and 7 sectional titles. In short, with Napoleon, New Trier always is considered a state contender.
I can’t write too specifically about Napoleon’s coaching style because this is my first spring covering the Trevians. But success is easy to see.