Zach Carr understands the daunting task of rebuilding Waukegan’s football program.
Part of the coaching staff for the past five seasons, Carr decided to try to become head coach after Dwayne Springs resigned following one season.
Carr was officially named the coach this week, becoming Waukegan’s third in the past five-plus seasons.
Carr’s path from longtime assistant to head coach was not a straight line. He took a few years off from coaching while his kids were growing up. At Waukegan, he has worked primarily with the offensive line and the running game.
“It’s definitely interesting for me, especially after being here for some time and seeing people interview for other positions,” Carr said. “I knew the process. It was a little different being on the other end. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to apply when it came up. I had some family things. I wasn’t in town when coach Springs stepped down, but a lot of people talked to me about it, which led me to apply.
“I put my ideas out there, and we will see how it works. I guess they liked my ideas and it was what they were looking for.”
Springs said he has a long association with Carr and thinks he is the right person for the job.
“I met coach Carr as a rookie head coach 14 years ago, so I know he’s a committed, hardworking, stand-up guy,” Springs said. “He deserves our support and patience.”
Carr said rebuilding the program will be a long process, partly because Waukegan competes in the North Suburban Conference. The Bulldogs’ lone victory this fall came against North Chicago in a season-opening nonconference game. It was their first win since they defeated North Chicago in the 2016 season opener. Waukegan’s last playoff appearance was in 2001.
Carr said one of his primary tasks is increasing the number of players in the program.
“Waukegan is one of the biggest schools in the state, but numbers have always been a problem,” Carr said. “Recruiting is huge, getting guys out. We’ve had some decent numbers in the past on the freshman level, but retaining them for all four years has been the biggest issue.
“The past few years we’ve had 40 freshmen, which is pretty good, but we have to keep them all. For whatever reason, we haven’t been able to keep all the kids. Now I want to focus on that — get the kids to buy in on the freshman level and maybe pull in other kids.”
One big change could boost Carr’s efforts. The Waukegan school district will take over the feeder program. He said the district plans on “pumping in money.”
“It’s all about those kids starting somewhere and getting them experience,” Carr said. “If you put in the time and energy into it when the kids are young, they’re more invested when they get to us. I’ve also always thought the high school kids should help in the summer camps.
“Whatever the district can do to help out is great. I know we have some reasonable fees, a lot lower than surrounding areas. Hopefully we can now get more kids out.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.