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Prep football: Harris moving to La Follette

Dennis Semrau  —  5/05/2008 4:03 pm

As graduation day approaches for the Class of 2008, the Madison Memorial Spartans recently added a veteran staff member to their family of pending graduates.

English teacher and head boys track and field coach Mike Harris, a 1987 Madison Memorial graduate, will head across town next fall to become the head football coach and an English teacher at Madison La Follette.

After hosting the 41st annual Spartan Invitational boys track and field meet last Friday, Harris admitted that it's an emotional time as he prepares to chase a dream he has had since high school.

"This is my senior year but I didn't know until Wednesday morning I'd be leaving Memorial," Harris said. "It's sad because I have the best staff in the world. I'm going to miss the camaraderie with these guys.

"The athletes have been more than understanding. We had a team meeting on Wednesday and I sat them down and explained to them that I've always had a dream of being a head football coach since I was in high school. Once I left college, I always had this dream of being a head football coach. When the opportunity came, the icing on the cake was having the English 10 teaching position there, too."

Harris was named to replace former Lancers coach Chad Wiese, who resigned after the season to continue serving as an assistant principal at La Follette.

But Harris said he wouldn't have pursued the Lancers' football coaching job without being able to teach at the school as well.

"When I had the chance to be part of the English department at La Follette, my wife and I said we've got to do this," Harris said. "Football positions like that don't open often."

Harris has taught English at Memorial since 1994. He was an assistant football coach at Memorial before being named the Spartans' head boys track and field coach. Before coming to Memorial, Harris also taught at Milwaukee Washington High School.

Harris said he has some big shoes to fill at La Follette.

"Chad did a phenomenal job with the program and everybody is buying into it," Harris said. "It is a family-type program and the community buys into it. But that is also the major challenge.

"When (principal) Joe (Gothard) was a head coach at La Follette, I was on (longtime Memorial football coach) Wally Schoessow's staff here. My wife and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of the Lancer English department and athletics program. It will be an exciting time for us this fall."

Harris said he was impressed with the reception he has received at La Follette.

"I'm excited to be working with the staff, which has welcomed me on board. The majority of the coaches on staff are teachers on staff as well. I love that. If they are all in agreement, I want to keep as many on board as possible."

Dennis Semrau  —  5/05/2008 4:03 pm