A former Silver Streak is set to become Galesburg’s interim head football coach.
District 205 has scheduled a special meeting for Monday when board of education members will consider the appointment Shawn Hickey as interim head varsity football coach at Galesburg Senior High School. The meeting is set for 3 p.m. Monday at the district office, 940 W. Fremont St.
Mindi Ritchie, District 205 assistant superintendent of Human Resources & Student Supports, tells WGIL via email, “We are recommending Shawn Hickey on Monday. The district is pleased to recommend a candidate for varsity football coach that is both experienced and one of Galesburg’s own.”
A 1996 GHS graduate, Hickey played football and baseball for the Silver Streaks before going on to play baseball and graduate from Monmouth College.
He has been a social studies teacher at GHS since 2000.
Hickey would replace Derrek Blackwell, who resigned the position June 7. Streaks assistant coaches Matt Hawkins and Jacob Carl have overseen off-season activities in Blackwell’s absence.
“I’m not passing judgment at all about what was done, but the process really put the kids in a position where they didn’t have the leadership that was needed,” Hickey said.
“And as a result, we started to see a decline in numbers. The process was unfair to the kids — not knowing where they were going. And that bothered me.”
According to Ritchie, the district received eight applications for the interim head football job. Five candidates went through the interview process.
Hickey coached football in several capacities at GHS from 2000 through 2011, ranging from sophomore assistant, sophomore head coach and the varsity defensive coordinator for five seasons.
For the last seven years, Hickey has served as a color commentator for WGIL’s radio broadcast of Silver Streaks football games.
Eric Matthews, outgoing District 205 athletic director, previously told WGIL he anticipated Galesburg would post the opening for a permanent head varsity football coach sometime after the 2024 season.
“The wins and losses will take care of themselves if we take care of the kids. We want to create an environment that is productive, and at the same time is not demeaning or one that tears kids down.” — Shawn Hickey
Asked if he would pursue the permanent head coach position, Hickey said, “That’s a good question. What’s most important to me is to get the numbers up. Secondly, I want to get a staff that is athlete focused, student focused.
“The wins and losses will take care of themselves if we take care of the kids. We want to create an environment that is productive, and at the same time is not demeaning or one that tears kids down.”
The first day IHSA football teams can start practice is Aug. 12.
The Silver Streaks kick off the 2024 season Aug. 30 at Dunlap. After the season opener at Dunlap, the Streaks will play host to Limestone in Week 2 and to Morrison in Week 3. Morrison replaces Alleman, which is not fielding a team for the second straight season.
2024 Streaks schedule
Week 1 – At Dunlap, Aug. 30
Week 2 – Limestone, Sept. 6
Week 3 – Morrison, Sept. 13
Week 4 – Sterling, Sept. 20
Week 5 – At Geneseo, Sept. 27
Week 6 – Quincy, Oct. 4
Week 7 – At Rock Island, Oct. 11
Week 8 – Moline, Oct. 18
Week 9 – At UTHS, Oct. 25
