Mount Carmel’s controversial ousting of legendary football coach Frank Lenti in favor of former Caravan star and Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch was the biggest high school sports story of the last several years.
Lenti, who won 11 state titles with Mount Carmel, was on the front page of the Sun-Times the next day, and even Bears-obsessed sports-radio shows spent a couple of days debating the move.
It’s possible the Caravan could have handled the situation better, but it appears the school did everything possible to allow Lenti to move on gracefully. That’s all in the past now. It has been two years, and the move has been a massive success for Mount Carmel.
Lynch is 25-2. The Caravan lost in the state semifinals last season before completing a perfect season with a 37-13 victory Saturday against Nazareth in the Class 7A championship game.
‘‘[Lenti] had a great career here, winning so many state championships,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘I knew I was the best man — the next best man — for [the] job.’’
In a key move, Lynch kept Dave Lenti, Frank’s brother and defensive coordinator, on his staff. There hasn’t been a defense in the state capable of stopping Nazareth’s Michigan-bound quarterback JJ McCarthy, but Dave Lenti figured out a way. Mount Carmel’s defensive backs were physical with Nazareth’s receivers, disrupting their routes and throwing off McCarthy’s timing.
McCarthy finished 8-for-25 for 116 yards and was sacked five times. There is no doubt Dave Lenti’s dominant defenses have helped Lynch succeed in his first two seasons. Lynch regularly praises him, and it is a credit to Lynch that he didn’t let ego stand in the way of Dave Lenti remaining on staff.
Watching Lynch interact with the Caravan’s players, include younger brother Justin, it is clear the impact a younger head coach can have on a team.
‘‘When I [was hired], I just wanted to show the kids I’m a 2009 graduate of Mount Carmel,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘I’ve been in the same situations you guys have been in. I’m not too far off from their age, too, believe it or not. I had to show consistency. I had to be there every single day and show them that I’m the same guy every day.’’
Father-and-son coach/player combinations are common, but it is rare to see a brother coaching another brother. It can be a competitive relationship as much as a mentor situation.
‘‘Growing up, I was always in the stands watching him,’’ Justin Lynch said. ‘‘Actually [before the game against Nazareth], he told me the last time he stepped on this field he had 320 yards. I don’t think I came close.’’
He came up short with 120 yards, but he did rush for five touchdowns.
Two years ago, Mount Carmel football felt stagnant. Talented players were transferring to other schools, and the crowds at Gately Stadium were dismal. Times had changed, and Frank Lenti’s offense wasn’t exciting the fans or prospective players.
Jordan Lynch and a new on-campus stadium have ushered in what might be a new golden era for the Caravan. The school reinvented its football program instead of allowing it to wither away and die.
‘‘I know what it takes,’’ Lynch said. ‘‘I’ve won at every single level of football I’ve been at. [I told the players to] just trust me and trust our coaches. We are going to take you on a journey. Just trust us and believe in us. It showed. We are 14-0. I don’t call the right play all the time. These kids make it right because they trust the process and they trust themselves.’’
