Welcome to Normal West Football, home of the Wildcats….
Our football program has been part of Normal West Community High School since the school opened in 1995. Over the past 17 years, the program has had two head coaches:
Coach Jim Baker – 1995 until 2003
Coach Darren Hess – 2003 until present
The program has accounted for 87 victories over it’s history, which accounts for a 54% winning percentage. During Coach Darren Hess’ tenure, West has a 61% winning percentage. The Wildcats are off to an 8 & 0 start in 2011, securing a first round playoff game. Coach Hess has also established a leadership development program for all players. Established in 2008 to help our players understand the important role they play as leaders on our football team, we want to be proactive with our athletes in teaching them the values and characteristics needed to be successful at football and life. Our program is designed to give players a better understanding of our team expectations and philosophy as a whole, as well as to help our athletes grow in the areas of goal setting (both personal and team), leadership style, and team building.
West is part of the Big 12 Conference including teams from: Bloomington, Champaign Centennial & Central, Danville, Decatur Eisenhower & MacArthur, Mattoon, Normal Community, & Urbana.
We have been Big 12 Conference champs the following years:
1998, 2004, & 2011
Normal West Wildcats achieved an undefeated season in 2011, going 9 & 0 through Big 12 Conference play. The Wildcats were crowned Big 12 Champions.
Champaign Centennial – 55-14
Decatur Eisenhower – 64-0
Champaign Central – 61-21
Decatur MacArthur – 42-7
Danville – 15-14
Normal – 35-17
Urbana – 49-30
Bloomington – 34-6
Mattoon – 64-21
Normal West Wildcats have been to the playoffs eight (8) times in their history…
- 1998- 1st Round Loss
- 2000- 1st Round Loss
- 2004- 2nd Round Loss
- 2005- 2nd Round Loss
- 2006- 1st Round Loss
- 2007- 1st Round Loss
- 2010- 1st Round Loss vs. Crete-Monee
- 2011- 2nd Round Loss vs. Danville
2011 Flag Raising Ceremony
