McHenry Times

Huntley High School (HHS) said it recently hired Matt Zimolzak to be varsity football coach for 2016.

Zimolzak has been involved with the Red Raider football program the last four years, spending the past three as defensive coordinator. This past season, his work helped lead the football team to its first undefeated Fox Valley Conference (Valley Division) title and a Class 8A playoffs run that ended in the second round.

Before joining the HHS staff under former head coach John Hart, Zimolzak was an assistant at Palatine’s Fremd High School, working with Illinois Hall of Fame coach Mike Donatucci. Zimolzak has taught AP physics at Fremd since 1995.

Administrators at HHS felt Zimolzak's experience in coaching offense and defense with two coaching legends helped set him apart from other candidates.

“Coach Zimolzak quickly surfaced to the top of our list," HHS Athletic Director Chris Rozanski said. "His familiarity with and commitment to the community, school, and football program helped separate him from other applicants. Having served under two very successful coaches, we are confident that he has both the football knowledge and leadership skills to help us continue to grow into a top program.”

Zimolzak is a 1991 graduate of Savanna High School in Anaheim, California. He continued his education at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he was a presidential scholar and a three-year letter winner in football. He also earned his master’s degree in teaching from Roosevelt University.