Matt Polnow resigns as Woodstock North football coach after historic season

Woodstock North’s loss is Lucille and Reese’s gain.

Matt Polnow has announced his resignation as head football coach after leading the Thunder to a historic season in 2024 in only his third season at the helm.

“I had a lot of stress on my shoulders,” Polnow said. “Nothing was easy being a head coach. The last three years turning that program around put a lot of stress on me, my mental well-being and my family.”

Polnow, 42, who also resigned from his position as a physical education teacher at Clay Academy in Woodstock, will now turn his attention to his young family. He and his wife, Alivia, are the parents of two girls, Lucille, 4, and Reese, 2. He and Alivia, a first grade teacher at Westwood Elementary School in Woodstock, met when they were teaching middle school at Hawthorn in Vernon Hills.

Polnow submitted his resignations after Christmas break.

“I need a break from education,” Polnow said. “I’ve been in it for 20 years.“

Before taking over the program at North in 2022, Polnow coached under Thunder head coach Jeff Schroeder for 12 years. Last season, the Thunder won a school-record eight games, which included the program’s first win in the playoffs (Class 5A) since 2012 and only the second in the Thunder’s 16-year history.

North went 1-8 and 2-7, respectively, in Polnow’s first two seasons as head coach.

“It was great to turn the program around,” Polnow said. “I was proud of that, but as far as the stress level, it was not any easier.”

Woodstock North athletic director Derek Crabill, although surprised by Polnow’s resignation, said he understood the reasons for Polnow’s decision to step down. Crabill said Polnow and his coaching staff increased numbers in the program and put in plenty of offseason work to lead to the Thunder’s historic year.

“They had a team on board for their philosophy,” Crabill said. “They worked hard to put out the message of what they wanted to do and how they wanted to do it, and the kids responded and believed in that.

“The other thing is they developed the talent that they had. They recognized that they had talent in these classes and they had a chance to do good things. They worked hard to develop that talent so that the kids can have success. It was those hours outside of the season I think paid huge dividends.”

Polnow is not sure what’s next for him professionally.

“I have no idea,” Polnow said. “I could always go back to education, but I don’t think that’s going to be an immediate thing. My options are open.”

Regardless, he thinks North’s program is in good hands. The expected returning players for the Thunder include Northwest Herald All-Area running back David Randecker.

Polnow’s replacement has not been named. Crabill said they have several applicants but have not started any interviews.

“I’ve received a lot of [positive] messages from players and parents,” Polnow said. “They were bummed, but I told them they’ll be OK without me. My young girls need me more than those young adults.”