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Illinois H.S. Gridiron Graduates (Pro)
& Coaches

IHSFW.com would like to recognize not only those individuals who have made it to the professional level, but also the fans who have helped compile this list of players who have made it to a pro career. Scroll down for a list of Pro coaches from Illinois high schools.

Past Player Triva
Do you know which former player was the first black coach in the NFL? Here's a hint there's an award named after him. There are 3 players that are currently active that all suited up for a game between two state championship teams, all 3 have played in a Super Bowl as well, do you know who they are? Numerous players were in Pro-Bowls & Super Bowls, but who is the only person in the NFL Super Bowl era to play on both an undefeated & winless team? scorll to the bottom for the answers.

Below is a list of players by name, high school & active players.
Name / high school / active players

,
Past Player
High School
H.S.
Grad
Year
Active
Pro
Rodenhouser, Mark Addison (Addison Trail)
No
Hentrich, Craig Alton (Marquette)
Yes
Betters, Doug Arlington Heights (H.S.)
1974
No
Guendling, Mike Arlington Heights (St. Viator)
1980
No
Payton, Jarrett Arlington Heights (St. Viator)
2000
No
Bowens, Fabian Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
199?
No
Luke, R. J. Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
199?
No
Becker, Kurt Aurora (East Aurora)
1979
No
Fencik, Gary Barrington
1972
No
Smith, Brady Barrington
1991
No
Heimburger, Craig Belleville (East)
No
Hodel, Nathan Belleville (East)
Yes
Johnson, Garrett Belleville (East)
1994
No
Lisch, Rusty Belleville (West)
1975
No
Muckenstrum, Jerry Belleville (Althoff)
1969
No
Odem, Joe Bethalto (Civic Memorial)
No
Grigsby, Boomer Canton
2001
Yes
Diem, Ryan Carol Stream (Glenbard North)
199?
Yes
Hodges, Reggie Champaign (Centennial)
2001
Yes
Gossett, Jeff Charleston
No
Pihos, Pete Chicago (Austin)
No
Butkus, Dick Chicago (C. Vocational)
1960
No
Turner, Keena Chicago (C. Vocational)
1976
No
Zorich, Chris Chicago (C. Vocational)
1988
No
Canada, Larry Chicago (Carver)
1973
No
Nomellini, Leo Chicago (Crane)
No
McGill, Tim Chicago (Lake View)
2001
No
Blackmon, Harold Chicago (Leo)
No
Stingley, Darryl Chicago (Marshall)
No
Evans, Frederick Chicago (Morgan Park)
2001
Yes
Jackson, Frisman Chicago (Morgan Park)
Yes
Mays, Corey Chicago (Morgan Park)
2001
Yes
McCoy, Ivory Chicago (Simeon)
199?
No
May, Marc Chicago (South Shore)
1973
No
Moore, Ken Chicago (South Shore)
1973
No
Stanley, Walter Chicago (South Shore)
1980
No
Young, Bryant Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.)
1990
Yes
Diehl, David Chicago (Brother Rice)
1998
Yes
Donahue, Mark Chicago (Brother Rice)
1974
No
Wynn, Renaldo Chicago (DeLaSalle)
Yes
Armstrong, Otis Chicago (Farragut)
1969
No
Gardner, Rich Chicago (Hales Franciscan)
Yes
Hayden, Kelvin Chicago (Hubbard)
2001
Yes
Pollard, Fritz Chicago (Lane Tech)
1910's
No
Calloway, Chris Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1986
No
Cornish, Frank Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1985
No
Cushing, Matt Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1993
No
Duggan, John Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1939
No
Edwards, Steve Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1997
Yes
Goich, Dan Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1960?
No
Hill, Darrell Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1997
No
McNabb, Donovan Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1994
Yes
Rice, Simeon Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1992
No
Turner, Nate Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
1987
No
McGarigle, Tim Chicago (St. Patrick)
2002
Yes
Lick, Dennis Chicago (St. Rita)
1972
No
Merritt, Ahmad Chicago (St. Rita)
No
Simmons, Tony Chicago (St. Rita)
No
Canade, Tony Chicago (Steinmetz)
1940's
No
Michalik, Arthur Chicago (Weber)
1947
No
Maryland, Russel Chicago (Young)
No
Harrison, Rodney Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic)
1991
Yes
Holecek, John Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic)
1990
No
Prior, Mike Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic)
1981
No
Clark, Danny Country Club Hills (Hillcrest)
Yes
Mitchell, Tywan Crete (C.-Monee)
1993
No
Kasper, Kevin Darien (Hinsdale South)
1987
Yes
Moorehead, Aaron Deerfield
1998
Yes
Hayward, Reggie Dolton (Thornridge)
Yes
Simpson, Tim East Peoria
No
Cox, Brian East St. Louis (Sr.)
1987
No
Dixon, Al East St. Louis (Sr.)
No
Glenn, Kerry East St. Louis (Sr.)
1981
No
Jordon, Shelby East St. Louis (Sr.)
1968
No
Nash, Damien East St. Louis (Sr.)
2001
No
Randolph, Al East St. Louis (Sr.)
1962?
No
Scott, Victor East St. Louis (Sr.)
No
Winslow, Kellen East St. Louis (Sr.)
1976
No
Johnson, Bobby East St. Louis (Assumption)
1981
No
Magac, Mike East St. Louis (Assumption)
1956
No
Wright, Eric East St. Louis (Assumption)
No
Harris, James East St. Louis (Lincoln)
1987?
No
Poe, Johnnie East St. Louis (Lincoln)
1976
No
Bradshaw, Morris Edwardsville (H.S.)
No
Hoskins, Bob Edwardsville (H.S.)
No
Casper, Dave Elgin (St. Edward)
1968
No
Kenn, Mike Evanston (Twp.)
1974
No
Martin, Cecil Evanston (Twp.)
1994
No
Moorehead, Emery Evanston (Twp.)
1972
No
Pickens, Bob Evanston (Twp.)
1962
No
Purnell, Jim Evanston (Twp.)
1960
No
Stewart, Joe Evanston (Twp.)
1974
No
Kimbrough, Elbert Galesburg
1957
No
Swanson, Evar Galesburg
1910's
No
Pearson, Barry Geneseo
196?
No
Bowen, Matt Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)
1995
No
Anderson, Erick Glenview (Glenbrook South)
1988
No
Anderson, Kurt Glenview (Glenbrook South)
1997
No
Greene, Kevin Granite City
No
Gardner, Barry Harvey (Thornton)
1995
No
Garnett, Winfield Harvey (Thornton)
199?
No
Golden, Jack Harvey (Thornton)
199?
No
Hampton, Jermanie Harvey (Thornton)
199?
No
Harris, Napoleon Harvey (Thornton)
199?
Yes
Randle El, Antwaan Harvey (Thornton)
1997
Yes
Streets, Tai Harvey (Thornton)
1995
No
Adams, Flozell Hillside (Proviso West)
1993
No
Hawkins, Brent Jerseyville (Jersey)
2001
Yes
Alstott, Mike Joliet (Catholic H. S.)
1992
Yes
Thayer, Tom Joliet (Catholic H. S.)
1979
No
Goolsby, Mike Joliet (Catholic)
2000
No
Parker, Eric Joliet (Township)
Yes
Hood, Estus Kankakee (Eastridge)
1974
No
Woolfolk, Butch Kankakee (Eastridge)
1978
No
Smith, Jimmy Kankakee (Westview)
1979
No
Nelson, Dennis Kewanee (H.S.)
1965
No
Smith, Dave * Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)
1983
No
Goff, Mike LaSalle (L.-Peru)
1993
No
Rutgens, Jon LaSalle (L.-Peru)
1957
No
Walter, Kevin Libertyville
Yes
Glanton, Derrick Lincoln
No
King, Andy Lincoln
No
Semple, Tony Lincoln
No
O'Dwyer, Matt Lincolnshire (Stevenson)
1990
No
Pashos, Tony Lockport (Twp.)
1998
Yes
Beebe, Don Maple Park (Kaneland)
1984
No
Fleck, P.J. Maple Park (Kaneland)
1999
No
Query, Jeff Maroa (M.-Forsyth)
1985
No
Buchanan, Ray Maywood (Proviso East)
No
Johnson, Jim Maywood (Proviso East)
1959
No
Nitschke, Ray Maywood (Proviso East)
1954
No
O'bradovich, Ed Maywood (Proviso East)
195?
No
Mauck, Carl McLeansboro (Twp.)
1965?
No
Hallstrom, Ron Moline
No
Hopkins, Brad Moline
1989
No
Machado, J.P. Monmouth (H.S.)
1995
No
Brady, Ed Morris
1980
No
Ferrari, Ron Moweaqua (H.S.)
1977
No
Kendricks, Marvin * Mt. Vernon
1967
No
Mains, Gil Mt. Carmel
1947
No
Wagner, Mike Mundelein (Carmel)
No
Zgonina, Jeff Mundelein (Carmel)
Yes
Brown, Chris Naperville (North)
1999
Yes
Earl, Glenn Naperville (North)
1999
Yes
Garnett, David Naperville (North)
1989
No
McCareins, Justin Naperville (North)
1997
Yes
Johnson, Darrien Naperville Central
1998
No
Ninkovich, Rob New Lenox (Lincoln Way Central)
2002
Yes
Steinbach, Eric New Lenox (Providence)
Yes
Wells, Mike Normal (Community)
196?
No
Turner, Michael North Chicago
Yes
Cryder, Bob O'Fallon
1972?
No
Sullivan, Marques Oak Park (Fenwick)
No
Goodrich, Dwayne Oak Lawn (Richards)
199?
No
Jones, Jim Oak Lawn (Richards)
No
Montgomery, Joe Oak Lawn (Richards)
No
Smith, Demetrius Oak Lawn (Richards)
No
Goodspeed, Joey Oswego (HS)
1997
No
Shea, Aaron Ottawa (Twp.)
1995
No
Schwantz, Jim Palatine (Fremd)
1988
No
Saunders, David Palatine (H.S.)
1993
No
Young, Walter Park Forest (Rich East)
1998
Yes
Butz, Dave Park Ridge (Maine South)
1969
No
Grant, Earl Peoria (Manual)
1974
No
Sutter, Ed Peoria (Richwoods)
No
Taylor, James Peoria (Woodruff)
No
Ashmore, Darryl Peoria (Central H.S.)
1988
No
Davis, Scott Plainfield (H.S.)
1983
No
Ivlow, John Plainfield (H.S.)
1988
No
Lewis, Greg Richton Park (Rich South)
No
Baugh, Tom Riverside (R.-Brookfield)
1981
No
Linger, Adam Rock Island (Alleman)
No
Bowman, Ken Rock Island (H.S.)
195?
No
Edgerson, Booker Rock Island (H.S.)
1958?
No
Matthews, Ira Rockford (East)
1975
No
Polk, Carlos Rockford (Guilford)
Yes
Ball, Larry Rushville ?
No
Finks, Jim Salem
194?
No
Kittner, Kurt Schaumburg
1998
No
Gaunty, Steve South Holland (Thornwood)
1975
No
Roe, Bill South Holland (Thornwood)
1975
No
Pendergrass, Jon Springfield (H.S.)
199?
No
Mitrione, Matt Springfield (S.H.G.)
199?
No
Ulrich, Matt Streamwood
2001
Yes
Dieken, Doug Streator (Twp.)
No
Wakefield, Fred Tuscola
Yes
Hicks, Tom Villa Park (Willowbrook)
1971
No
Roth, Matt Villa Park (Willowbrook)
2001
Yes
Sheldon, Mike Villa Park (Willowbrook)
1991
No
Bohm, Ron Walnut HS
1982
No
Dennis, Mark Washington
198?
No
Graham, Otto Waukegan
1941
No
Dierking, Scott West Chicago (H.S.)
1975
No
Frederick, Andy Westchester (St. Joseph)
1973?
No
Graham, Kent Wheaton (North)
No
Juriga, Jim Wheaton (North)
1982
No
Long, Chuck Wheaton (North)
1981
No
Grange, Harold "Red" Wheaton (H.S.)
1922
No
Foley, Tim Wilmette (Loyola Academy)
1966
No
Anderson, Damien Wilmington
199?
No
Matthews, Clay Winnetka (New Trier)
1974
No
Pyle, Mike Winnetka (New Trier)
1957
No

*Not able to confirm professional information on this player.
? Information that was given but may be partial or missing.

Coaches

Callahan, Bill / Chicago (Mendel) 1975
Callahan, who played quarterback in high school and for Illinois Benedictine College, went on to coach at Oak Lawn & De La Salle high schools. Then on to assistant job at Illinois & Wisconsin. He accepted the job as the offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, before going to the Oakland Raiders to be their offensive coordinator before becoming their head coach in 2002. The Raiders made the Super Bowl in his first year as a NFL head coach.

Halas, George /Chicago (Crane)
Legendary football player, coach & founder of the NFL. Started the NFL's first team the Decatur Staleys, in Decatur, IL. They would eventually become the Chicago Bears.

Levy, Marv /Chicago (South Shore) 1944
Running back in high school & college. Went on to coach the NFL Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls.

Shanahan, Michael / Franklin Park (East Leyden)
Head Coach with the Denver Broncos (1995-present). Lead the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl championships in 1997 and 1998. As of 2002 season his career record is 96-61. Played quarterback at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park Attended Eastern Illinois in the early 1970s on a football scholarship, playing quarterback and defensive back. Shanahan's playing career was ended after he had a sustained split kidney injury in a EIU game. A last-second operation saved his life. After the injury Shanahan, a physical education major, worked as an assistant with Eastern’s football team while earning his bachelor's degree in 1974 and master’s (also in physical education) in 1975. He was an assistant for the Oklahoma Sooners and won a national championship while there, a backfield coach at Northern Arizona . He returned to Eastern in 1978 as the Panther’s offensive coordinator, helping the team win a Division II championship.

Scott, Al / Former Head coach at Chicago (Simeon)
Played wide receiver in the NFL for the bengals in 69 & 70 had Bill Walsh as a wide receiver coach.


Know any NFL, CFL, Arena League or World League players who are a product of an Illinois High School. Past or present.
E-mail us at IHSFW@ihsfw.com.

 

Answers to Past Player Triva:
1. Fritz Pollard, Lane Tech
2. Mike Alstott, Donovan McNabb & Simeon Rice, Joliet Catholic & Mt. Carmel (Chicago)
3. Larry Ball, Rushville

 

 

 

 

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