North Mac football coach resigns after five seasons and three playoff appearances

VIRDEN — North Mac football coach Patrick Bowman officially resigned during Wednesday’s school board meeting after five seasons at the helm.

He led the Panthers to three playoff appearances with a 25-19 overall record.

North Mac recently won a share of the South Central Conference title in its league debut before bowing to Fairfield 20-19 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs to go 8-2. That group included star senior offensive lineman Cooper Starks, who will play at Vanderbilt University.

Bowman also coached Girard from 2005-2008 before it was consolidated with Virden as North Mac. Bowman’s coaching staff included his dad, Dan, who was a longtime coach at Greenfield.

“He led us to the playoffs three out of four full seasons,” North Mac athletic director Brian Carman said in an email. “He led our program through an incredibly tough couple years of COVID with class and dignity.

“He always put the best interest of the players first. Coach Bowman is a fantastic leader and that shined through to his players on and off the field. He was very easy to work with, as was his entire staff. He is a great leader of men and he will be missed at North Mac.”

Carman said he couldn’t speak to Bowman’s future plans while Bowman did not immediately respond to a phone call for comment.

North Mac posted the job opening on its Twitter account on Thursday.

Carman said he hopes to fill the vacancy as soon as possible with a quality candidate.

Contact Bill Welt: 788-1545, bill.welt@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/BillWelt

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA football: Patrick Bowman resigns as coach at North Mac