O’Brien: Ousting Frank Lenti for Jordan Lynch was the right move for Mount Carmel

Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch. | Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times

Mount Carmel’s controversial ousting of legendary football coach Frank Lenti for former star player and Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch was the biggest high school sports story of the past several years.

Lenti, who won 11 state titles with the Caravan, was on the front page of the Sun-Times the next day and even Bears-obsesses sports radio shows spent a couple days debating the move.

It’s possible Mount Carmel could have handled the situation better, but it does appear the school did everything possible to let Lenti move on gracefully. That’s all in the past now. It’s been two years and the move is clearly a massive success for Mount Carmel.

Lynch is 25-2. The Caravan lost in the state semifinals last season and completed a perfect season on Saturday with a 37-13 win against Nazareth in the Class 7A state championship game.

“[Frank Lenti] had a great career here, winning so many state championships,” Lynch said “I knew I was the best man, the next best man, for [the] job.”

In a key move, Lynch kept Dave Lenti, Frank’s brother and defensive coordinator, on his staff. There hasn’t been a defense in the state capable of stopping Nazareth’s Michigan-bound quarterback JJ McCarthy. Lenti figured out a way. The Caravan defensive backs were physical with the Nazareth receivers, disrupting their routes and throwing off McCarthy’s timing.

McCarthy finished 8-for-25 for 116 yards. He was sacked five times. There is no doubt Lenti’s dominant defenses have helped Lynch succeed in his first two seasons. Lynch regularly praises Lenti and it is a credit to the young head coach that he didn’t let ego stand in the way of Lenti remaining on staff.

Watching Lynch interact with Mount Carmel’s players, which include his younger brother Justin, it is clear the impact a younger head coach can have on a team.

“When I [was hired] I just wanted to show the kids I’m a 2009 graduate of Mount Carmel,” Jordan Lynch said. “I’ve been in the same situations you guys have been in. I’m not too far off from their age too, believe it or not. I had to show consistency. I had to be there every single day and show them that I’m the same guy every day.”

Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch sitting in the end zone with his players at halftime reviewing plays on a tablet.

Father and son coach/player combinations are common, but it is rare to see a brother coaching another brother. It can be a competitive relationship as much as a mentor situation.

“Growing up I was always in the stands watching him,” Justin Lynch said. “Actually [before the game against Nazareth] he told me the last time he stepped on this field he had 320 yards. I don’t think I came close.”

Lynch came up short with just 120 yards, but he did rush for five touchdowns.

Two years ago Mount Carmel football felt stagnant. Talented players were transferring to other schools and the crowds at Gately Stadium were dismal. Times had changed and Frank Lenti’s offense wasn’t exciting the fans or prospective players.

Lynch, along with a new on-campus stadium, has ushered in what could be a new golden era for Mount Carmel. The school reinvented its football program instead of allowing it to wither away and die.

“I know what it takes,” Jordan Lynch said. “I’ve won at every single level of football I’ve been at. [I told the players to] just trust me and trust our coaches. We are going to take you on a journey just trust us and believe in us. It showed. We are 14-0. I don’t call the right play all the time. These kids make it right because they trust the process and they trust themselves.”