BC coach ready for football
The list of returning starters is slim for Burlington Central football as the 2007 season kicks off tonight.
And at least one of the Rockets players thought another vacancy was going to be created after what transpired during the offseason.
courier file
• Game previews, area conference breakdowns and more, B4-5
Central coach Aaron Wichman led the Rockets to a 20-12 record and two state playoff appearances in his three seasons at the helm.
But his status was in doubt after an incident in the early morning hours of Jan. 28 that led to Wichman's arrest by a DeKalb County sheriff's detective. Wichman incurred several charges, including one for driving under the influence.
"I thought he was done (as coach)," Central senior defensive end Bryan Bell said. "But it was a relief that he wasn't. We were shocked that he was able to stay."
All charges were dropped against Wichman on April 25 after a judge ruled there was no probable cause to pull him over, severely limiting what the prosecution could present as evidence.
"It's not a situation people want to be in," Wichman said last week. "And we don't even talk about it. All that stuff is pretty much over with."
Wichman met with the team in the days after his arrest.
"He told us about the situation and we accepted it for what it was," Central senior linebacker Curt Mastio said. "It was a mistake. But I don't even think about it anymore. And there are no trust issues between us and coach. It wasn't that big of a deal to us."
Bell said the team hardly even talks about what happened.
"Of course, it was on our minds back then," he said. "But it's over and done with. Things blew over.
"And I think it worked out for the best because he's a good coach."
Wichman said the first week of preseason practices went as smooth as any since he arrived at Central following a one-year stint as the head coach at Elgin High.
The issue is dead and he's looking forward.
The Rockets travel to Kaneland tonight, looking to begin anew after last season's 10-2 record that included a Big Northern Conference East Division championship and a run to the state quarterfinals.
Asked if there will be any different feelings when he walks the sidelines for the first time in 2007, Wichman remained even-keeled.
"It's a football season like any other," the 2006 Courier News Coach of the Year said. "I'm just excited to get it going."
