Alderman
GODFREY — After three seasons Jeff Alderman has decided to hang up his whistle in favor of his full time administrative duties.
Alderman spent three seasons as the head coach of the Alton Redbird football program, but has resigned to concentrate on his position of athletic director. Alderman, 56, went 11-16 over three seasons including a 5-4 campaign in 2014 that saw the Birds qualify for postseason eligibility with wins, but fall short with playoff points.
“There are certain times with it you don't feel like you're doing a good job with anything because it spreads you so thin,” Alderman said of juggling the two high profile jobs. “But credit to all the people around here that have helped me out and enabled me to do both the football and the AD job. Credit to our administration here that has supported me through the whole thing. I just think it's time to let some younger guys have some influence on things and me be able to help them and support them in the way I've been supported throughout my career. I'm confident that our football program is on solid ground now and it's a much more attractive position for someone to step into and I'm confident we'll get a good coach.”
When Alderman grabbed the reins of the Alton program in 2012 he was inheriting a program that had gone 3-24 over the previous three seasons and was on its fourth head coach in four years. He wanted to bring stability to the program and that's what he has done.
Alderman had previously coached Jacksonville Routt, Southwestern and Dunlap to playoff seasons before landing at AHS. During his career he's taken pride in accepting football coaching positions with challenges of turning programs in the right direction.
“I've taken a lot of pride in that, going to places to where the football may not have been having a lot of success for whatever reason and getting everything on the same page and headed in the right direction,” Alderman said. “It's been a lot of fun and it's really rewarding, but it's more rewarding to see happy kids and coaches see that success and go with it.”
Alderman knows Alton isn't where it needs to be yet, but at least its on the right track.
“We were able to achieve some moderate success,” he said. “Believe me, we're not where we all want to be, but it's definitely headed in the right direction and our kids understand the commitment and I think a lot of our parents understand that commitment and their support has been great.”
The district has already posted the head coaching position and teaching jobs will be available, though no packages have been finalized at this point. Alderman would like to begin interviewing soon with a target of the end of January to have a new head coach in place.
Candidates will come from in house and out of house. He's ready to explore all avenues to find the right fit for the Redbirds.
“I'm sure we're going to have some interest in house and we're considering all candidates,” Alderman said. “I'm certain we will have some interest that way. I'll be honest, I talk with my assistants and I'm not sure who all will be interested, but I'm sure we'll have some in house interest.”
Alderman assured the players and his colleagues that he'll still be around and there for support if needed.
“It's like I told the kids and I told everybody else, I'm not dead. I'll still be around,” Alderman quipped. “It's just time to head in a different direction and let somebody else run things.”