Robbie Gould ready for ‘unique’ opportunity as new St. Viator football coach

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – Robbie Gould stood inside St. Viator’s Cahill Gym on Thursday afternoon ready to make his introductions for a second time this year.

He reintroduced himself to some of the Lions football players and laid the groundwork for what they want their uniforms to look like. Gould also took a selfie with St. Viator chaplain Rev. John Eustice while the school’s videoboards read “Welcome, Coach Robbie Gould!” right above them.

[ St. Viator hires former Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould as new football coach ]

Gould has made plenty of introductions and been part of countless interviews throughout his 18-year NFL career. But nearly 10 months after Rolling Meadows announced Gould as its new head coach during a press conference, he stood inside Cahill Gym ready to introduce himself once again — this time as the Lions’ head coach.

While it wasn’t how Gould planned it almost 10 months ago, Gould was excited for an opportunity he felt he couldn’t miss out on.

“This is an opportunity that I thought would be unique for me,” Gould said. “For not only my professional growth, but also an opportunity that, if you look at Illinois high school football, I do think it’s very competitive and I’m a competitor myself.”

That opportunity came along after former St. Viator coach David Archibald announced that he would step down from the program at the end of the season. Archibald had led St. Viator since 2016, leading the Lions to the playoffs four times, most recently reaching the second round of the Class 4A playoffs in 2023.

Gould heard about the opening after the Mustangs lost in the first round of the 7A playoffs. Once he learned more about the opportunity to coach in the CCL/ESCC, the resources St. Viator provided its athletes and still be close to where his family lives, it became obvious that he wanted to be a part of the community.

“I just love a culture that’s here,” Gould said. “I love that everyone works collaboratively together for the greater good of the athletes and students in this school. And to me, being a high school football coach, it’s all about developing and being there for them on their journey.”

The decision didn’t come easy for Gould. He became a high school football coach after being a kicker in the NFL for numerous teams, mostly for the Chicago Bears from 2005 to 2015. Gould is the team’s all-time leader in points with 1,207.

Rolling Meadows finished the season 5-5 under Gould after some injuries derailed a 4-1 start. Gould learned about the job and was open with the Rolling Meadows’ administration about his interest in the St. Viator job. Gould left the program last week.

“It was never going to be an easy decision,” Gould said. “But at the end of the day, I think I’m happy for their continued success and I’m excited about this opportunity.”

St. Viator’s administration conducted an open interview process and talked to numerous candidates both online and in-person. St. Viator athletic director Mike Obsuszt and president Ryan Aiello were impressed with the candidates who applied, but said Gould stood out.

“This is an opportunity that I thought would be unique for me. For not only my professional growth, but also an opportunity that, if you look at Illinois high school football, I do think it’s very competitive and I’m a competitor myself.”

—  Robbie Gould, St. Viator head coach

Aside from his success as a professional football player, the people who Obsuszt and Aiello talked to only had good things to say about his transition to being a high school coach. Both Rolling Meadows’ administration and those who watched Gould coach felt he did a good job with his limited time in the program.

In the end, it was an easy decision.

“Robbie just kind of rose to the top,” Obsuszt said. “The thing that’s exciting? I mean, I think there’s a buzz around the school and the community about Robbie coming here, but in my mind, what’s even more exciting is Robbie’s excited to be here. I think he may be more excited to be here than the buzz that we’re getting around tonight. So I think it’s a great fit.”

Gould was excited to get to work, saying that the job was an early Christmas gift. But he’s also looking forward to competing against some of the best, some of whom he knows well.

He relied on Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch, Carmel coach Jason McKie and Providence coach Tyler Plantz for advice on how to build a high school program before he took the job at Rolling Meadows. Both Lynch and McKie were Gould’s teammates with the Bears.

Now nearly a year later, Gould is ready to coach against them as he takes his next step.

“This league is one of the most competitive football leagues in all of Illinois, and potentially anywhere in the country, for high school football,” Gould said. “And as a competitor, you want to go and play and compete against the best, and I’m excited to be able to be in this position.”