What about Kennedy for the job, if he's considering LC why wouldn't he consider Portage, better facility and tradition. That and you could steal away the competitions 1st choice for a new choice, and possibly get your 1st choice in the process

My brother played to Valpo U. and Peterson was one of his coaches. His freshman year my bro jumped the fence on the football field to practice field goals on his own after a practice. Peterson saw him and his reply was "get off the field, It is closed. Why waste your time practicing anyway your not going to play this year"

Obviously we lost all respect for him after that. Portage will be much better off without him.

PS. Kennedy from Lowell would have unlocked the gate and worked with the kid after practice. Thats what it takes.

Interesting article in the Times.



JIM PETERS: Illegal procedure, Portage, for Peterson move
Story Discussion By Jim Peters - Times Columnist | Posted: Monday, February 8, 2010 12:00 am | Loading…

If you wondered about Mark Peterson's ability to be a successful coach at the Class 5A level when Portage hired him in the summer of 2007, your question probably still hasn't been answered.

I can't say yes or no either. I don't think Peterson was given enough time to prove himself.

It officially went down last week as a resignation, but don't be fooled by the written statements and words like philosophical differences. We've all seen enough of this stuff to know how it works. A person in authority points the other person in the direction of the door and while not opening it for them, strongly suggests they don't let it hit them in the rear end on the way out.

In this case, all you can figure is it's a result of the Indians going only just a notch over .500 (17-15) during Peterson's tenure and an apparent dip in numbers.

Never mind they were 16-17 the prior three years.

Never mind Peterson was brought in with a mop and bucket and given the task of cleaning things up in the wake of Craig Buzea's abrupt departure, an acrimonious exit following a turbulent stretch for a program that was among the Region's best for about a decade.

Never mind Peterson inherited a talented senior class but one that was strongly loyal to Buzea, who felt that he was run off, and was not about to go to the wall for the new guy. A 5-5 finish could be categorized as underachieving, though it was one doomed to struggle due to a lack of leadership.

Never mind the Indians went 6-4 in 2008 with limited experience, then 6-6 this season, coming on strong late behind a tough defense to reach the sectional final, where they nearly knocked off Merrillville. Would a couple more years with Peterson have resulted in only more mediocrity? We'll never know. Administration seems to be saying yes.

Could the unpleasant circumstances surrounding his wife Kristen's exit as girls basketball coach last year have had anything to do with it? It's hard telling since no one's talking, but I can't imagine it could have helped.

Portage will return one of the best players in the area in Jake Dixon, an elusive quarterback in Zach Huston and much of a promising offensive line. The team supported Peterson and were unhappy to see him go, particularly in a manner in which it seems he was forced out. Now someone has to go about getting those kids back on board to avert an undermining element hampering the team in 2010 as it did in 2007.

Nick Wellman would take care of that. He's a great offensive mind with a link to Portage's success in the mid 1990s and is well-respected. The question is whether he wants to get back into the game to that extent after scaling down his involvement.

Rob Kania remains from both the Buzea and Peterson tenures, and is regarded favorably by the players. Would Brett St. Germain be considered again? Would the current Crown Point assistant be interested after not getting the job the last time? What about Hobart's Wally McCormack? Yeah, it's got a snazzy new facility, but it's also coming off a 4-8 season, he's a Portage product, a Portage resident, and a friend of athletic director Jeff Smith.

Let the speculation begin.

Here's hoping Peterson's next employer gives him a fair shake.

Very good article

I'm saying Wally takes the job.

I'll tell you what... I'll be the Head Football Coach at Portage before Wally! He will not apply for the position... get that through your head 2 Cents. I'll tell you what... Wally gets the job I will NEVER post here again, if he does not, you have to sign off FOREVER. Is it a deal? What do you say?

Relax Hokie. I just think Wally will try to go to Portage. I have no inside info or anything. Just think he will try for it. Lots of pressure and high expectations in Hobart that no one has been able to live up to since the retirement of Howell. I just see him going soon.

Like I say if he does not are you willing to take me up on my wager? I'm serious as I can be... let me know.

No thanks Bob. Ballin would miss my sarcastic responses if I banned myself and if Wally did go how could we survive without the old one.

I sure would, especially since I am about the only one that catches them.

True.

as former portage player i believe Nick Wellmen needs to step up and take on the roll of portage coach..he is extreamly knowlegdeable playing and coaching behind buzz for so many years.. he also will have assistants lining up to coach behind him

agreed be threw away his opening season starting all seniors, in which they were freaking terrible!

You are right. They were all terrible. One is playing in the Big Ten (Evans) and another was his D2 conferences defensive player of the year.

If memory serves Evans was the best, if not one of the best, running backs in the region that year? I could be wrong?