St. Edward hires Dave Archibald, Cole Kmet’s coach at St. Viator, for football rebuild. ‘Absolutely thrilled.’

“Ultimately, the belief in the community and the impact they believe I can have on our culture in the athletic department and that I can help football become competitive again helped decide it.”

White served St. Edward as athletic director for 21 years. He also taught and was dean of students and head basketball coach during his tenure. He will step down June 30.

The Green Wave struggled during Finnane’s three seasons, winning just one game as the total number of players in the program dropped last year to 24.

Finnane, a St. Edward grad who attended West Point and played football for Army, stepped down because he felt his work commitments in Chicago were making it difficult to oversee the program, according to Woj-Dufelmeier.

“Dave is extremely dedicated to football and we also need to rebuild this program,” she said. “I feel part of that will come from having a coach in the building. I think that’s important to have if we can.”

Construction will begin this summer on a new weight room that should help. St. Edward’s enrollment has held steady at about 205 the past 10 years.

Finnane followed the 18-year run of Mike Rolando, who led seven teams to the playoffs, six in Class 4A and one in 2A. The 2A appearance came in 2019, the last time the Green Wave made the postseason.

During a 10-year stretch from 2012 to 2020, Rolando had 40 or more players in the program six times, peaking at 57 in 2012.

“We’re the smallest school in our conference (Chicago Christian Athletic) but we really believe we can convince players St. Edward wants to be back on the map,” Archibald said. “I’d like to get back to 30-40 players and two levels so the younger players can have a game each week.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to assume roles of leadership within the St. Edward community. In football, specifically, there is no shortcut. This is going to be a process of seasons that starts with increasing our numbers.”