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FORMER HEISMAN FINALIST JORDAN LYNCH NAMED HEAD COACH OF MOUNT CARMEL FOOTBALL

Former Heisman Trophy finalist and Canadian Football League Grey Cup champion Jordan Lynch was named the new head football coach for Mount Carmel High School today.  A Mount Greenwood native and 2009 graduate of Mount Carmel, Lynch succeeds Frank Lenti, the school’s previous head coach of 34 years and also the winningest coach in Illinois high school football.
 
“I’m incredibly excited to be returning to the Caravan,” said Lynch, who was the starting quarterback for the Caravan in 2007 and 2008. I learned so much during my years at Mount Carmel, and will always be grateful to the great coaches who taught me about character and what it means to sustain a winning tradition. I can’t wait get started.”

Lynch, 27, recently finished his first season as assistant coach for running backs at Northern Illinois University, working under Head Coach Rod Carey. During his playing career at NIU, Lynch led the Huskies to the Midwest Athletic Conference championship and four consecutive bowl appearances, including the Orange Bowl in 2013. NIU was the first MAC school ever to appear in a Bowl Championship Series game.

That season, the Associated Press named Lynch an “all-purpose” first-team All-American after he rushed for an NCAA quarterback record 1,920 yards and 23 touchdowns while throwing for 2892 yards and 24 touchdowns. He finished third in Heisman Trophy balloting, one of two Caravan alums (with Donovan McNabb) to be recognized as a Heisman finalist.
Other NCAA records set by Lynch include most 100-yard rushing games by a QB in a season (12) in 2012 and most rushing yards per game by a QB in a season (137.1) in 2013.

Following his graduation from Northern Illinois, Lynch entered the pro ranks in the Canadian Football League, leading the Edmonton Eskimos to the Grey Cup championship in 2015, and scoring the game-winning touchdown with just over three minutes remaining in the game.

Mount Carmel President Ned Hughes says the school targeted Lynch “because of his passion and energy, and the track record of success wherever he’s played.” He added, “Following in the footsteps of the greatest coach in Illinois history, we needed someone whose record would inspire respect and confidence from his student-athletes and colleagues, and who understands the high standards of Mount Carmel’s program.”

Dan Lacount, Mount Carmel athletic director, said Lynch will begin the transition process immediately, scheduling meetings with the team and the current coaching staff next week, and a meeting with parents to follow.
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