Providence Catholic (IL) high school football is off to a 4-0 start to the year but in an unusual turn of events, the school announced that head coach Tyler Plantz had been dismissed, according to a report from The Chicago Sun-Times.
Plantz was in his sixth season with the program and had led them to a 35-19 record during that time. Last year, he led them to the IHSA Class 5A state championship game.
The Celtics opened this season with a 28-21 win over St. Rita (IL) but had been dominant since, winning their next three games by an average of 22 points. On Friday night, Sept. 11, they beat Carmel (IL) 31-7.
Plantz graduated from Providence in 2010 and went on to Notre Dame where he graduated from there in 2014. A career walk-on in South Bend, he started
his career as a running back before finding success on special teams and earning a scholarship his senior season.
Before taking over at his former high school, Plantz served as an assistant coach on Brian Kelly's staff at Notre Dame.
In a statement sent from the school to the Chicago Sun-Times, the school thanked Plantz for his time with the program but announced that it was "announcing a transition in the leadership of its football program as we move in a new direction".
The report noted the Plantz had not responded to a request for comment.
Providence offensive coordinator Adam Nissen will replace Plantz as the program's new head coach. Nissen most recently was a head coach at St. Laurence (IL). He was there for six seasons compiling a 35-28 record and leading the program to the Class 4A championship in 2023.
The Nissen era with the Celtics will begin Friday night at Nazareth Academy (IL). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Illinois high school abruptly fires head coach despite unbeaten start
