Niles High School has found its next football coach. Joe Sassano has been given the task of resurrecting the Vikings’ program. Sassano most recently led the football program at LaSalle-Peru in Illinois from 2007-2013. Before that, he served on coaching staffs at Mishawaka Penn, Archbishop Weber High School in Chicago, and University of Chicago.
Niles Athletic Director Jeff Upton said Sassano’s track record was very attractive. “Coach Sassano has demonstrated that he knows how to build a winning program, and he is dedicated to helping kids on all levels,” said Upton. “We are pleased that he decided to move back to our area and is willing to work on building a fundamentally solid football program.”
Upton added that Sassano has been associated with state championship programs, is used to coaching in competitive football conferences, and looks forward to helping rebuild a Viking team that won only two games this past season.
On his new position at Niles, Sassano says, “I have many goals to achieve for the student athletes at Niles. Number one is to increase the number of athletes involved and committed to bringing success to the field at Niles. We will work to teach fundamental football and strengthen the program on all levels – varsity through the youth rocket programs.”
While working with Coach Chris Geesman at Mishawaka Penn, Sassano helped the team to four State Championships and two runner-up finishes. Under his leadership, the LaSalle-Peru squad went to the playoffs three times.
