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Downers Grove North picks Horeni

Joe Horeni isn't exactly coming home, but it's about as close as it gets.

Upon Monday's confirmation by the District 99 school board, Downers Grove North hired Horeni, a 2002 Downers Grove South graduate, to be its next football coach. He'll teach physical education and health at the school.

Horeni, who spent the last three seasons as Highland Park's coach, takes the reins from venerable John Wander, who stepped down after 16 seasons at the helm and 32 years with the Trojans.

"Downers Grove is home to me," said Horeni, a starting center on Downers South's Class 8A title team in 2001. "It's always been in our family. I was super excited when they posted the job."

After playing at Illinois College, Horeni coached with the Blueboys and Morris High School before spending two years as a sophomore assistant at Downers South. He was with St. Francis for five seasons, including two as the Spartans' defensive coordinator.

At Highland Park, Horeni's teams compiled a 15-14 record including Class 7A playoff appearances the last two seasons. He'll take over a Downers North team that in the fall qualified for the playoffs for the fourth time in six years.

Horeni, a member of Downers South's athletic hall of fame, believes in a balanced offense that must run the ball. He said current assistant Keith Lichtenberg will remain deeply involved with the defense.

Horeni said he'll be at Downers North as much as possible as he finishes the school year at Highland Park. He'll conduct his first full meeting with his new players Thursday.

"The kids seem really hungry and their energy is great," Horeni said. "I'll be busy the next few months, but once the summer starts it'll be all football."

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