Hinsdale South Coaches Resign, Unhappy With Situation

DARIEN, IL – Hinsdale South High School's athletics department handled more than 30 resignations of coaches and assistant coaches in the last year.

At least two left unhappily, seemingly criticizing the school's administration.

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David Isaacson, an assistant football coach for 22 years, turned in his resignation on April 29.

In an email to Athletic Director Art Ostrow, Isaacson, a PE teacher at South, said it was a hard decision because coaching was one of the most meaningful parts of his professional life.

"However, I no longer feel aligned with the current direction of the program," Isaacson said. "I want to be clear that this decision is not a reflection of the coaching staff, but rather the broader structure and long-term decisions that have impacted the program."

"Over the past 15 years, the lack of consistently hiring qualified coaches has created a situation where the workload required to maintain the standards I believe our athletes deserve has become unsustainable, particularly in balancing my responsibilities to my family," he said.

Isaacson left open the possibility of returning to the program if meaningful changes are made.

He said he would stay involved at the youth level to help ensure that incoming players are prepared when they arrive at Hinsdale South.

A few hours after Isaacson's message, head boys bowling coach Kraig Conyer, another PE teacher at South, informed Ostrow he was resigning.

He said he had enjoyed coaching hundreds of bowlers over the last 18 years.

"Unfortunately, it has become abundantly clear that hard work, dedication and organization are not appreciated anymore," Conyer said. "I have realized it is time to focus on what is most important to me."

On Oct. 30, Conyer informed Ostrow that he was not returning as an assistant football coach.

Last year, Jarrod Amolsch became the head football coach, replacing longtime coach Mike Barry, who stayed as an assistant coach.

Patch left emailed messages for comment with Iaacson and Conyer.

Last week, Patch asked Hinsdale South administrators about the coaching turnover over the last year.

South's principal, Kari Peronto, said coaching transitions are a normal part of high school athletics. That's particularly true among community coaches who balance coaching with full-time careers, family responsibilities and other commitments, she said.

"We remain committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding coaches and providing a high-quality experience for our student-athletes," she said in a statement.

Ostrow said coaching turnover has become more common. The jobs, he said, have become tougher because of the demands of developing year-round programs.

"Our coaches are extremely dedicated to their student athletes," he said in a statement.