John Holecek’s return to coaching at Loyola after a three-year hiatus brought fresh changes to the team. However, the arrival of offensive coordinator Danny Schaechter has been a notable shift for the Ramblers. Schaechter previously worked with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., delivering remarkable results.
The team now embraces a more pass-focused offense, yielding positive outcomes for the undefeated Loyola. Holecek expresses his satisfaction, stating, “Catholic League was iso, power, counter—old-school football. This is not. A lot of different personnel packages, and it’s just not a traditional Catholic League grind—run, run, play-action.”
Loyola, with a 3-0 record and a No. 5 ranking in the Chicago Tribune’s high school football top 25, faces a major challenge against No. 3 Brother Rice. They aim for their fourth Class 8A state title in five years. The pressure on Schaechter, though, may not compare to the moment he persuaded eighth grader Williams to join Gonzaga, explaining his offensive strategy to help Williams achieve his potential.
“Caleb was going to be special whether or not he ever met me or was coached by me,” Schaechter recalls. “I’ve never seen a high school kid throw like this, let alone an eighth grader.”
The combination proved successful. During Williams’ sophomore year, Gonzaga secured a conference championship with a dramatic 46-43 victory over DeMatha. The game concluded with Williams’ stunning 53-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass for the win. Schaechter used this story to inspire Loyola’s team, emphasizing resilience and perseverance.
Originally from Northbrook, Schaechter played football at Glenbrook North and later assisted as a student at Illinois State. He followed head coach Randy Trivers to Gonzaga, after relocating from Leesburg High School in Florida. Following Williams’ departure to college, Schaechter returned closer to home, taking up a coaching role at Libertyville, where he led a strong offense.
At Loyola, Schaechter appreciates the team’s potential, saying, “There’s a lot of carryover from Libertyville. Honestly, the current offense would have been perfect for Caleb.” Schaechter remains humble about his past successes, with Loyola junior quarterback Matthew Lee acknowledging his calm demeanor despite his impressive background. “Hoping he can do it again. I love the new offense,” Lee shares.
Loyola’s previous season was unusual, ending with a 4-5 record, their first losing season since 2002. Lee shared quarterback duties with Dominic Maloney, who this season shifted to safety, being a talented baseball player as well. “(Maloney) is one of those kids you’d pick first on the playground,” Holecek remarks, emphasizing the importance of utilizing both athletes for the team’s benefit.
With the coaching team of Holecek, Schaechter, defensive coordinator Pete Devine, and former head coach Beau Desherow, Loyola is poised for success. They previously claimed their third state title under Holecek in 2022, followed by two more under Desherow. Fans are hopeful for the return of prominent alumni to support the team.
Schaechter hopes to bring past players like Williams, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Matas Buzelis back to games. Despite no obligations, their previous contributions to the team showcase their dedication. “He knows I love him, and I know he’s got love for me, and that’s all that really matters,” Schaechter concludes regarding Williams.