Glen Kozlowski turned Wauconda and North Chicago into playoff teams in his previous stops at Lake County schools.
And now he’ll look to do the same at Waukegan.
Kozlowski was recently named the football coach for the Bulldogs.
“Everywhere I’ve gone the program was struggling and we were able to get it turned around and in the playoffs,” Kozlowski said. “It’s the buying in from the kids and the parents and the community that you don’t have to settle. That you can be good.
“It’s the little things and we try to take care of the little things and the details.”
Kozlowski, who played wide receiver for the Chicago Bears from 1987 to 1992, replaces Juan Anillo.
Waukegan went 1-8 in 2016. Its last playoff appearance came in 2001.
Kozlowski is ready for the new challenge.
“I’ve been up in this area for the last 30 years and always felt like Waukegan, with its size and athletes and players and those walking the hallways, it could be a successful football program,” Kozlowski said.
Kozlowski, 54, took Wauconda to the playoffs in 2007 and finished a 7-3 record. He spent five years at North Chicago. The Warhawks made the playoffs in 2012, also going 7-3. He also coached at Guerin for two years.
Kozlowski said success at Waukegan will have to begin at the younger levels.
“The biggest thing is getting to the youth program, the Junior Bulldogs and building up nice relationships with the coaches,” Kozlowski said.
He’s also looking beyond the football field for team activities. He’s planning on having players participate in community-service events this summer.
“It’s having the kids that are committed and on the team involved in the community more, doing community service and getting out there,” Kozlowski said. “The X’s and O’s are X’s and O’s. When you’re helping others it changes your views and you are starting on the path to success.”
As for those X’s and O’s, Kozlowski wants to stress fundamentals.
“My players and our skill level will determine exactly what we do a lot of,” he said. “Ideally, we’d like to control the clock on offense, and on defense, we’d like to create turnovers and get after people.
“Special teams are the swing teams that change momentum into your favor.”
Kozlowski is looking forward to coaching again in Lake County.
“This is an area I’ve known for a long time and I know a lot of people here,” he said. “This is exciting. And I’m excited to work with the coaches who have spent a lot of time with these young men.
“You’re trying to give opportunities to young men and open their eyes to bigger and better and to dream bigger.”
