Schneeman leaving Fieldcrest to take over as DeKalb's next offensive coordinator

If there is one word Derek Schneeman used more than any other in describing his move from highly successful head coach at small-school Fieldcrest to assistant coach and offensive coordinator at large-school DeKalb High School, that word was "fortunate."

Fortunate to have been given the opportunity to take over an on-the-brink-of-a-breakthrough Fieldcrest program at the age of 23.

Fortunate for the six years of success he enjoyed there.

Fortunate to now have the opportunity to move his newest blessing — 6-month-old son Jack — closer to his grandparents while joining another successful football program with the Barbs.

"Talking to the guys was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do," Schneeman said of telling his Fieldcrest players about his leaving. "This was not an easy decision by any stretch ... and it's tough for (my wife) Sarah and I.

"We really want our kids to be able to have strong relationships with their grandparents. I'm not saying they wouldn't with the situation now, with us living in Washington, but being able to spend more time with family — hers and mine — is the main reason.

"It was something Sarah and I have been talking about. We were waiting for the right opportunity, and we're fortunate it all worked out the way it has."

Although his young age raised some eyebrows, the now-29-year-old Streator High School and Augustana College graduate was wildly successful at Fieldcrest. Schneeman compiled a 47-19 record and five playoff appearances over six campaigns, with undefeated regular seasons and Class 2A state semifinal appearances in both his first season, 2014, and his last, 2019.

Prior to his taking over, the Knights had never won a playoff game in program history.

"I've always said, if ever there was a situation where a 23-year-old coach could succeed, it was Fieldcrest," said Schneeman, who has also accepted a teaching position at DeKalb's Huntley Middle School. "That was especially true with that first team and the amount of talent and leadership it had.

"I was fortunate enough to be a head coach by the time I was 23 years old. The last six years have been a blast, so much fun, but I do look forward to not only having the opportunity to be at a bigger school, but also to learn from some other coaches who have been at it a long time.

"I look forward to spending a lot of time at DeKalb, getting to know and work with their guys, taking a step back and gaining a whole new perspective on high school football."

The Barbs are coming off a 6-4 season — the program's seventh consecutive playoff appearance — in Keith Snyder's first season as head coach. Like Fieldcrest, which averaged 31.9 points per game last season with a balanced, pro-style offense, DeKalb was strong offensively, using a flexbone triple-option to rack up 31.6 points per contest in 2019 under Snyder and previous offensive coordinator Tyler Bell.

"Anytime you can get a head coach, that's a plus, and the fact that he's not 30 years old and already been a head coach for six years, that's astounding," Snyder said of his new offensive coordinator. "I asked him how that came about, because you don't see that very often.

"We're definitely not Alabama, and I'm sure as heck not Nick Saban, but I think Nick Saban has a great plan there: bring in as many former head coaches as you can, because they know how to work with kids, and they know how to be successful. ...

"I met with Derek 2 1/2 or 3 hours, and I was really blown away by who he is as a person and some of the things he's done with his program. Good football is good football. (The Heart of Illinois Conference of which Fieldcrest is a member) is one of the premier conferences in 1A/2A football, and he had a lot of success down there."

Snyder said he's been impressed already with his new offensive coordinator's football IQ, calm demeanor and dedication in making multiple trips to DeKalb to get things going.

Schneeman, meanwhile, says he's ready to take on the new challenge ... though it'll be tough to leave Fieldcrest behind.

"It will be fun taking this on, that's for sure, but it will be bittersweet," he said. "I love Fieldcrest. It's so hard to leave. It's a great situation, and I can't say enough good things about Fieldcrest.

"I've really been fortunate."