Evergreen Park's Head Football Coach Defects to Hinsdale Central

Dan Hartman, who compiled a 27-9 record in his three years as head varsity football coach for Evergreen Park Community High School, has been hired by Hinsdale Central, starting this summer.

Hartman led the Mustangs to their first conference championship in over 30 years, who ended the 2013 season 10-1.

The Hinsdale Dist. 86 school board announced Hartman’s hiring after a special board meeting on Monday evening. Hartman will teach social studies at Hinsdale Central and head up the Hinsdale Central Red Devils varsity football program.

Hartman took over the head coaching position in 2011 from Mike Barry, who helms Hinsdale South’s football program.

In his three years as head football coach at Evergreen Park, Hartman took the team to the IHSA State Playoffs  each year. In 2012 he brought Evergreen Park to the State semifinals, and in 2013, the quarterfinals. Prior to his arrival, Evergreen Park was 16-30.

Hartman began his coaching career at East Central HS in Indiana in 2006. From 2008-2011 he was an assistant varsity coach at Crown Point High School.   

In 2012-13, Hartman was named EPCHS Educator of the Year.

EPCHS Athletic Director Jim Soldan said he was aware that Hartman was considering a move. Not one to hold somebody back who wants to advance in his career, Soldan said he congratulated his former head football coach.

"He's one of the hottest tickets out there," Soldan said. "You go three years with 27 wins it opens doors. There was a place with an 8A school and he wanted to give it a shot."

"Hinsdale Central is getting a great coach," the athletic director added.

Soldan credited Hartman and his predecessor, Barry, for rebuilding Evergreen Park's football program -- the smallest school in the Class 4A conference -- into a well respected football team on the state level. 

"Some people here are down," Soldan said. "I say look what we've done. Let's not sit here licking our wounds. Let's keep moving forward. We got a great team coming back. Let's get ourselves another coach and do the same thing again."

Since the news of Hartman's resignation, Soldan said he's done nothing but print out applications. The goal is to have a new coach in place by June 9, the start of summer football camp, but if they're not able to have a head coach in place, the team's vested assistant coaches can manage.

The high school does not adjourn for the summer until June 16 because of construction schedules. 

"I feel fully confident we'll find a good successor to day and can do the same things," Soldan said. "We're not at the building point anymore. We want 'continuing.' That's what I'm looking for."

This story has been updated with new information.