Frank Lenti Hired As Football Advisor At St. Laurence

BURBANK, IL — Legendary high school football coach Frank Lenti has a new home on the South Side. St. Laurence High School announced the hiring of Lenti, an 11-time state champion as head football coach at Mount Carmel High School, as a special advisor to the Vikings' football program beginning this season.

“I am very excited to take on this role with the St. Laurence football program,” said Lenti, who led Mount Carmel to 374 wins, 11 state championships and 16 IHSA state title game appearances in 34 years as coach.

Lenti, widely known as the most accomplished football coach in Illinois high school football history, says he's "driven to be a part of the staff that sees this team reach the next level."

We are excited to welcome the winningest coach in Illinois high school football history to the Vikings. Join us in greeting Coach Frank Lenti! https://t.co/DISmga9KKm pic.twitter.com/plj1jThXAg
— St. Laurence HS (@StLaurenceVikes) August 7, 2018

“There are many great things going on at St. Laurence, both on and off the field, and I am eager to be a part of this community,” he said.

A news release from St. Laurence announcing the hire says Lenti will serve "as both an advisor and mentor to coaches throughout the entire football program."

He will assist "in creating synergy" among the football coaching staff and provide feedback on all levels of operation, from the freshman team to varsity.

The Vikings are coming off three consecutive seasons in which they have reached the IHSA quarterfinals and reached the semifinals in 2015 and 2016.

The upcoming season will be the first in more than three decades without Lenti on the sidelines for Mount Carmel. Last December, the school announced Lenti's "retirement" and the hiring of Mount Carmel grad and former Northern Illinois University star/NFL player Jordan Lynch as his replacement.

But while Mount Carmel implied that Lenti was retiring, the legendary coach sang a much different tune in a statement of his own at the time.

"Contrary to what some may have heard, I am not retiring," he said. "I love coaching high school football and may pursue that at some point in the future."

So, does St. Laurence play Mount Carmel this season? Yes, on Oct. 12 St. Laurence hosts the Caravan.

Here's how various St. Laurence officials reacted to the Lenti hiring:

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Lenti to our staff...This is an outstanding opportunity for everyone in our program – players and coaches – to receive valuable insight from a person with Coach Lenti’s pedigree.”

- St. Laurence Head Football Coach Harold Blackmon

“When the opportunity presents itself to add someone of Coach Lenti’s caliber to your team, you take it.”

- St. Laurence President Joe Martinez

“In Coach Lenti, we add another great coach to our award-winning athletics staff.”

- St. Laurence Athletic Director Tim Chandler

Photo courtesy of St. Laurence High School