By Howard Packowitz

Central Catholic High School, with its storied football tradition, will have a new head coach next fall.

Athletic Director Hud Venerable said Friday Coach Joe Walters has been relieved of his duties after one season in which the Saints lost all nine games.

Walters, the ex-Bloomington High School coach, took over the Saints on short-notice last summer when Mike Moews stepped down.

Venerable commended Walters for leading the program at a difficult time.

“He knew we weren’t going to have a lot of kids out for football last year. We had 28 kids total in the program when he took over. We were in dire straits at that point with our numbers,” Venerable said.

“He stepped in and gave us direction that got us through the season, but sometimes things just don’t work out, and we’re going to move in a different direction.

Venerable expects to name a replacement in the coming days.

“We’re looking for long-term stability,” said Venerable.

“We’re looking for somebody who’s passionate about football, passionate about Central Catholic, and passionate about building relationships with kids, teaching them about the game of football, and the game of life, and just being a builder of relationships,” Venerable also said.

Venerable himself was the long time coach at Normal Community High School. He said he’s not interested in assuming Central Catholic’s coaching duties.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]