Coach Mertens - Head Coach

• BA in Communications from Valparaiso University and MA in Education from Loyola University.  Teach English 3 and American Studies at Lakes.

• Entering 18th year of coaching high school football and 13th year as head coach of Lakes.  Previously coached at St. Patrick HS (Chicago) and St. Rita HS (Chicago).

• Coach JV/Varsity quarterbacks

• Married to Nicole and proud father of Reese (10) and Rocco (7)

Coach Shifley - Head Freshmen Coach

• BA in Visual Art Education from Indiana University (GO HOOSIERS!)

• MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Chicago

• Coach Shifley teaches:

  • AP Drawing, AP Art 2D, AP Digital Photography, Drawing, Painting

• 9th year teaching Art and 10th year coaching football (2nd year at Lakes)

• Coach Freshmen quarterbacks, running backs, corners, safeties and kickers

• Married to Vicki Shifley who teaches AP and Honors English at Grant HS

Coach McLaren - Asst Freshman Coach

• B.A. In Elementary Education, Knox College and MA in Teaching and Leadership, St. Xavier university. Teach 8th and 7th grade at Prince of Peace Catholic School

• Entering 4th year of coaching high school football

• Freshman defensive coordinator, linebackers and wide receivers coach

• Married to Elizabeth, and proud step-dad to Olivia (13) and Molly (9)

Coach Ellerman - Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Backs Coach

• BA in Physical Education from North Park University.

• Health and PE Teacher at Lakes High School.

• Entering 12th year teaching and coaching football, 8th year at Lakes, previously coached and taught at St. Patrick High School (Chicago).

• Married to Lindsay and father to Aubrey (6) and Jackson (2).

Coach Gomez

• BA in Political Science from University of Chicago

• Teaches Global Studies

• Entering 4th year of coaching. Previously coached at Noble Street College Prep

• Coaches JV/Varsity Inside Linebackers

Coach Coon - Outside Linebackers Coach

• BA in Elementary Education from Knox College, MA in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University, MA in Educational Leadership - Administration  from American College of Education.

• Teach 7th grade Math at Palombi Middle School for 14 years.

• Entering 5th year coaching football at Lakes.

• Married to Elizabeth (teacher of English at Palombi) and proud father to Joslin (6) and Emillie (2).

Coach Hoeller

• BA in Exercise Science from Winona State

• MS In Applied Behavioral Analysis pending spring 2017

• Entering 5th year of coaching at Lakes- previous strength and conditioning experience at Jacksonville University and University of South Florida

• Coaches Wide Receivers/ Strength

• and Conditioning Coach

• Paraprofessional at Lakes (3rd year)

• Married to Cindy and have father to Chance (16), Mia (11), and Xavier (7)

Coach Ratajczyk

• Assoc. in Business and Accounting. Project manager for construction firm

• Entering 12th season coaching at Lakes. Have also coached at various levels of youth football

• Coaches freshman O line and D line

• Married to Susan, and proud father of Lakes Alumnus Randy Ratajczyk (‘08)

Coach Tubek- Running Back Coach

• BA in Marketing from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL.

• Graduate of Lakes Community in 2010.

• Entering 1st season as a Football Coach.

• Currently employed at Uline

Coach Crowell - Defensive Line Coach

• BA  in PE and health education at Concordia University of Wisconsin  

• Currently paraprofessional at Lakes

• Graduate of LCHS 2007

• Have coached various levels of youth football

• Entering 2nd season of coaching at Lakes

• Engaged to Evie- to be married June 2017