Joe Drennan
Sports EditorAfter 30 years as a coach with the Forest Lake High School football team, 15 of them as the head coach, Jim Herman has decided itís time to step down and give someone else the chance to lead the Rangers.
ìI just came to the realization that it was time for me to step aside,î Herman said.
Herman first took charge of the Rangers back in 1988 when he took over as an interim coach after former coach Mike Grant left to be an assistant under St. Johnís University coaching legend John Gagliardi. Two years later Grant came back for a short stay as head coach. In 1992 Herman took over the team for good.
In his first game as head coach in 1988, Herman and his Rangers team fell to Elk River 20-6. Herman had to wait until the third week of play to record his first victory when the Rangers beat Stillwater 23-20 with an overtime field goal. In his first season,
Herman led the Rangers to a 5-3 regular season record. The Rangers later lost to Anoka in a section 4AA semi-final game. In 1992, Herman's second go around with the Rangers, he led the team to a 6-1 record in the regular season.
This yearís Rangers team had troubles finding success. The team finished with a season record of 1-8. The Rangers lost several close games but had its share of bright spots though.
ìI believe that the program here needs a spark," Herman said. "Weíve got a great setup here and some great kids coming in. My stepping down could be that extra spark that is needed.î
When all was said and done, Herman compiled a 59-81 record as head coach of the Rangers.
ìOne of the things I have thought aboutis weíre really proud about how we ran the program and treated the kids. Weíd have liked to have had a better win-loss record but itís not all about that," Herman said. ìI think we did a lot for the kids.î
Herman first began coaching in Forest Lake 30 years ago as a seventh grade coach, fresh out of college from the University of Minnesota where he played football.
ìAfter playing football at the ëUí and having to go back to the basics was an adjustment,î Herman said. ìThat adjustment is also one of my fondest memories."
Getting back to the basics isnít Hermanís only memory from 30 years of coaching.
The state tournament team of 1991 is a highlight Herman wonít soon forget.
"That was the year of the big snow storm so our section championship game and first round game was played at the Dome because we couldnít play outside,î Herman said. ìWe played one of the games on a Sunday right after the Vikings cleared the field from one of their games.î
The 1986 team that won the North Suburban Conference title is another team that sticks out in Hermanís mind.
ìPretty much everything that goes on in coaching is a great memory,î Herman said. ìThe overall feeling of making a difference in the lives of a lot of kids is the highlight.î
What now?
With all the extra time come fall Herman isnít exactly sure what he'll do with it.
ìI know it will be different but I feel good about the decision,î Herman said. ìI think itís a great opportunity for somebody to come in with where the team is at.î
Herman says heíll have more time to watch his son coach in Bemidji State as a grad assistant, and heíll have more time to watch football.
ìIt just came time and I am going to enjoy watching football,î Herman said. ìIím not ruling out getting back into coaching as an assistant somewhere, but I am staying in Forest Lake as a teacher. Weíll have to see what happens down the road.î
After calling it quits on coaching, Herman says he could have never coached for 30 years without all the people he worked with over the years. Administration, booster club, parents and players made Hermanís experience one heíll never forget.
ìI really want to thank all the people over the many years for the support they had for me and the program,î Herman said.
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