Palatine elevates Splitt to head coach
Rick Splitt has been named football head coach at Palatine High School.
Splitt, an assistant varsity coach for the last six years, will take over responsibilities from Tyler Donnelly, who recently stepped down after eight seasons at the helm.
“Rick is a great fit for the job, and we’re really excited to have Rick leading our football program,” said Palatine Principal Gary Steiger. “He has been a part of Palatine football for the past 13 years. He knows our student-athletes and our community, and knows what it takes to maintain a successful program.”
Splitt moves into his role as head coach after calling the defensive signals for the past six years at Palatine. During that time, the Pirates made six consecutive playoff appearances, won three Mid-Suburban League titles (2008, 2011, 2012), and made the state’s Elite Eight twice (2010, 2012).
Prior to being named defensive coordinator, Splitt was the sophomore football head coach in 2006, with his team finishing second in the conference. From 2000-2005, he was a varsity assistant, coaching defensive backs and also served as the special teams coordinator in 2002.
In 2005, Splitt was on the other side of the ball, coaching wide receivers.
He began his high school football coaching career as a frosh-soph assistant coach at Chicago’s Mather High School in 1993. From there, he moved to his alma mater, Carmel High School in Mundelein, coaching running backs, wide receivers, and defensive backs from 1996-1999.
“Rick has played a major role in the resurgence of football at Palatine High School,” said Jerry Dobbs, the school’s athletic director. “We’re extremely happy with the direction of the program, and Rick is the guy to keep it moving in the right direction.”
Splitt began his career teaching physical education and health at Lake Zurich Middle School North from 1994-2000, also coaching volleyball and basketball at the school (1994-1997). He was an assistant baseball coach at Lake Zurich High School (1996-1999) before being named varsity head coach (1999-2000) and has served as an assistant baseball coach at Stevenson (1994-1995) and Palatine (2000-2001).