Belskis takes over at ACC

It's an offer John Belskis never anticipated, but it's one he couldn't turn down.

Belskis, a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, has agreed to become Aurora Central Catholic's next head football coach.

The Chargers' defensive coordinator the last two years, the former Downers Grove South coach takes the reins from Brian Casey, who last week stepped down after five years at the helm to become Montini's alumni relations director.

"Everything has been a whirlwind the last week, so it's hard to say how I feel," Belskis said. "It's going to be a test."

Belskis retired from teaching at Downers South in 2013 after a 33-year coaching career with the Mustangs, the last 24 he spent as varsity coach. The Mustangs reached the playoffs in 22 of those seasons as a perennial West Suburban Gold champion and appeared in two state title games, including a victory over Naperville Central in the 2001 Class 8A final that gave the program its lone state championship.

Belskis inherits an Aurora Central Catholic program that in the fall reached the playoffs for the third straight season. His son, Johnny, will be a junior quarterback next season and is expected to start behind center after the graduation of Matt Rahn.

A physical education teacher at Aurora Central, Belskis said the immediate mission is to fill out a coaching staff depleted by four coaches who left after last season.

After telling Aurora Central Catholic athletic director Sean Bieterman on Thursday that he'd accept the job, Belskis said he'll meet with the players Friday morning to talk about the future of the program.

Belskis will take a quick family vacation next week and then hit the ground running to keep the Chargers on track for a fourth straight playoff appearance.

"Putting together the summer camp, getting equipment lined up, hiring coaches ... there's a lot that needs to get done," Belskis said. "It's going to be exciting."

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