Coaching Change: Lockport Township High School Football Loses Dan Starkey

Photo Courtesy of The Herald-News

On January 25, Lockport Township High School (LTHS) announced that Dan Starkey will not be returning as the school’s head football coach for the 2019 season.

According to The Herald-News website, “Lockport High School will not renew Dan Starkey as head football coach for 2019,” said Lockport Athletic Director Michael Dwyer. “We are grateful for Dan’s passion, character and work ethic these last five seasons, as well as the relationships and connections he made within our community. We will be posting the position soon and look forward to continuing to work toward making Lockport football a successful experience for our student-athletes as well as for our community.”

Starkey came to Lockport in 2014 with a lot of experience after serving for six years as the head coach at Glenbard South from 2004-2009 and then four more years in the same role at New Trier from 2010-2013.

“I am extremely disappointed in the decision,” Starkey stated in a release. “I passionately looked forward to working through the challenges we faced in a positive manner. I want to thank my family, the Lockport administration, the coaching staff and the football booster parents for their support and efforts in making Porter football a great experience for all.”

Recent LTHS graduate and former defensive end Haleem Ajibola states, "I know Starkey did not have a shining record during his time as the head football coach, but he still has my utmost respect. He believed in me as a football player and taught me values that will always stick with me."

Now, Lockport Township High School will have their third different football coach since 2011.

Lockport will be the fourth school in the area under new leadership in 2019. Joliet Central, Plainfield East and Plainfield North will also have new head coaches next season.