Ozark High School hires new head football coach from Illinois
The Ozark school board voted Thursday to hire Jeremy Cordell, who hails from Illinois, as the head football coach at Ozark High School. He starts July 1.
Cordell has been the head football coach at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox since 2015. During his time there, he rebuilt the program to be a state championship contender in one of the largest and toughest conferences in Illinois.
He has 13 years experience as a head coach and more than 80 of his players have gone on to play at the college level.
“It was evident throughout the interview process that Coach Cordell is a dynamic leader on and off the football field,” said Ozark High School Principal Jeremy Brownfield, in a Friday news release. “We are excited to have him as a part of the Ozark Athletics family and a part of the community.”
Cordell replaces former head football coach Chad Depee, who resigned in the fall.
Yancey Little, athletic director at the high school, said there was high interest among qualified coaches but Cordell's vision for the program won him the job.
“Coach Cordell has the knowledge and ability to support and enhance the foundation of our football program which will help to take Ozark to the next level,” Little said, in the release. “His vision and expectations are in line with what Ozark Schools and the community pride ourselves on.”
In a statement, Cordell said his approach is to help his players in all aspects of their lives and the Ozark district has the "same vision and goal."
“This common vision and goal is for Ozark High School football to become an elite program on and off the field," he said. "A program where young men will intentionally and purposefully strive for success. Winning in the classroom, on the field, and in the community will be an expectation and a daily part of the Ozark football experience.”
Before Lincoln-Way, Cordell spent four seasons as head coach at Glenbard South High School, where he also rebuilt the program, helping the team win multiple conference titles. He has also worked in the Chicago metro area.
Cordell played football at Illinois State University as a safety and special teams player, graduating in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in marketing. He has a master's degree in teaching with certifications in Spanish, administration and physical education.
He and his wife have four children.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ozark High School hires new head football coach from Illinois
