Tommy Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Per the Region Sports Network Russ Radtke was hired tonight by the Portage Township School Board of Trustees as the new head varsity football coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 News blurb from The Times: https://www.nwitimes.com/high-school/portage/portage-hires-former-griffith-coach-russ-radtke/article_aed9544e-e9c2-5798-b5e7-dbeadb4d2dee.html#tracking-source=home-breaking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 Statement from Portage High School Athletic Director Fred Joseph: Portage High School Athletic Director Fred Joseph released the following statement regarding the hiring of Russ Radtke "On behalf of Portage High School we are proud to announce the hiring of Russ Radtke as the head football coach for the upcoming 2020-2021 season. We were overwhelmed with the amount of interest expressed for the position, as well as the number of quality applicants, and we thank all those who took the time to apply. Coach Radtke’s experience and proven success could not be overlooked. We believe Coach Radtke embodies the very essence of Portage High School and its community, with an emphasis on instilling the virtues of Loyalty, Pride and Dedication (LPD). Coach Radtke has managed to foster and cultivate a winning mentality everywhere he’s been, as evident with his accolades. Coach Radtke is #2 on the all-time winningest current coaches list with 368 victories, and he has led programs to 4 Semi-State titles as well as the 1997 State Championship with Griffith High School." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Nowlin Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Coach Radke finally gets his unicorn. The Duneland conference. I know who I will be rooting for to replace Coach Radke but I am Biased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobref Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Now we will see if the culture at Portage is ready for a change that will restore this once great program. Because whether they know it or not, Hell is coming to breakfast. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indian72 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 3 hours ago, Bobref said: Now we will see if the culture at Portage is ready for a change that will restore this once great program. Because whether they know it or not, Hell is coming to breakfast. It should be interesting although last couple times I was on their sidelines noticed a slightly different demeanor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punttheball Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Hope they want to work gold helmets into the school colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamikaze Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Indian72 said: It should be interesting although last couple times I was on their sidelines noticed a slightly different demeanor. I wonder if he is leaving New Prairie because he felt like he had to have a different demeanor there, while he can be more Radtke-like at Portage. Just speculating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedgebuster Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 I've admired Coach Radke for years but never been on staff with him. Every story I've gathered from opposing coaches, every old article from Northwest Indiana Times or Region Sports Network, paints a picture of a extremely passionate individual that pushes his staff and players to the limits. You could easily suspect the man of being some sort of tyrant. Then you talk to players who have played for him or coaches that have coached under him, and they are all FERVENT Coach Radke supporters. It will be interesting to see how fast he can turn Portage around, which of his longtime staff members of his staff will go with him, and what "Vibe" he chooses to exude at this stop. Is the old dog learning new tricks late in his career? Does anyone know if he will have some sort of position in the school during the day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamikaze Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 2 minutes ago, Punttheball said: Hope they want to work gold helmets into the school colors. I was thinking the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gipper Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Kamikaze said: I was thinking the same thing. I don't see that happening, but good hire nonetheless.... Edited February 11, 2020 by Gipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indian72 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 Maybe red metallic with gold flecks in them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gipper Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 minute ago, Indian72 said: Maybe red metallic with gold flecks in them Beyond the color schemes, I think Rusty's hire has the potential to shift the whole paradigm. I think the Indians have the potential to compete for the DAC title every year, they also could make a serious run in the tourney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolvesOnTheProwl Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 18 minutes ago, Wedgebuster said: I've admired Coach Radke for years but never been on staff with him. Every story I've gathered from opposing coaches, every old article from Northwest Indiana Times or Region Sports Network, paints a picture of a extremely passionate individual that pushes his staff and players to the limits. You could easily suspect the man of being some sort of tyrant. Then you talk to players who have played for him or coaches that have coached under him, and they are all FERVENT Coach Radke supporters. It will be interesting to see how fast he can turn Portage around, which of his longtime staff members of his staff will go with him, and what "Vibe" he chooses to exude at this stop. Is the old dog learning new tricks late in his career? Does anyone know if he will have some sort of position in the school during the day? Does he currently teach at new prairie or have an administrative role? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Nowlin Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 25 minutes ago, Wedgebuster said: I've admired Coach Radke for years but never been on staff with him. Every story I've gathered from opposing coaches, every old article from Northwest Indiana Times or Region Sports Network, paints a picture of a extremely passionate individual that pushes his staff and players to the limits. You could easily suspect the man of being some sort of tyrant. Then you talk to players who have played for him or coaches that have coached under him, and they are all FERVENT Coach Radke supporters. It will be interesting to see how fast he can turn Portage around, which of his longtime staff members of his staff will go with him, and what "Vibe" he chooses to exude at this stop. Is the old dog learning new tricks late in his career? Does anyone know if he will have some sort of position in the school during the day? One player at New Prairie didn't hold back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knightmare Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 24 minutes ago, Gipper said: Beyond the color schemes, I think Rusty's hire has the potential to shift the whole paradigm. I think the Indians have the potential to compete for the DAC title every year, they also could make a serious run in the tourney. I know next to nothing about Portage. Do they have the athletes to compete with the MIC schools in the tourney? And how do they match up with the Ft. Wayne schools? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indian72 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 36 minutes ago, WolvesOnTheProwl said: Does he currently teach at new prairie or have an administrative role? Russell Radtke Attendance Officer/Head Football Coach Phone: 574-654-7271 or 219-778-2215 rradtke@npusc.k12.in.us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MICFan34 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 4 minutes ago, Indian72 said: Russell Radtke Attendance Officer/Head Football Coach Phone: 574-654-7271 or 219-778-2215 rradtke@npusc.k12.in.us Attendance Officer/Head Football Coach may be the best title I have ever seen. Where do I sign up for that? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gipper Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 20 minutes ago, Knightmare said: I know next to nothing about Portage. Do they have the athletes to compete with the MIC schools in the tourney? And how do they match up with the Ft. Wayne schools? It's why they play the game... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impartial_Observer Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 5 hours ago, Bobref said: Now we will see if the culture at Portage is ready for a change that will restore this once great program. Because whether they know it or not, Hell is coming to breakfast. Will he ride in from the East with the sun at his back? 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted February 11, 2020 Author Share Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, MICFan34 said: Attendance Officer/Head Football Coach may be the best title I have ever seen. Where do I sign up for that? He will become the 2020s version of Maurice Tolbert/Les Klein. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke of Denham Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 4 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said: One player at New Prairie didn't hold back We saw this kid over the summer and he is a monster. I am sure it is tough to have the coach you love leave right in the middle of your high school career. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TadQueasy Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Tremendous hire for Portage! Sure wish the old Region message board was active to see this blow up there. Portage is back and will be very competitive sooner rather than later. There are athletes at Portage and he will get the most out of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted February 17, 2020 Author Share Posted February 17, 2020 A lot depends on what happens when the two Hammond schools close and consolidate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gipper Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 Fear Hammond!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.