By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-Normal’s longest-serving and winningest high school football coach is about to coach his final game.

Rigo Schmelzer has won 188 games in 23 seasons as head coach at Bloomington High School and he led the Purple Raiders to three straight state title game appearances a decade ago.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Schmelzer on WJBC.

“I’ve done a lot and I’ve had a great career and I’ve been lucky to be at Bloomington with an incredible support staff,” Schmelzer said. “That’s made it easy and that’s made it enjoyable.”

He said the one win that stands out actually came as an assistant coach, when BHS beat East St. Louis in the 1992 playoffs on a snowy day in Bloomington.

Schmelzer told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin, high school football is about much more than wins and losses. He says he game helped student-athletes set goals and stay on the right path.

“We are able to give them purpose and understand there is more than just the sport,” Schmelzer said.

Schmelzer said he’s had the chance to coach some great ones during his 23 seasons as BHS coach.

“That’s part of the success we’ve had at Bloomington. We’ve had some wonderful kinds coming through here,” Schmelzer said.

Schmelzer has coached several who played in the NFL, the most recent was Brandon Hughes of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. He added his pending retirement probably won’t sink it until after the game Friday against Normal West.

“There’s not much down time. I think it’s going to hit me once I’m throwing some of the laundry into the washing machine and dryer and putting the equipment away. That’s when it’s going to hit home.”

The school is asking all of Schmelzer’s former players to come to the game against Normal West at Fred Carlton Field on Friday to help send off their coach into retirement.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].