Koronkiewicz now in his 40th season

By Greg Seubert

Two state championships and three other trips to the state final.

An induction into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Twenty-four consecutive playoff appearances, 13 consecutive conference championships and a 262-86 record.

These are just some of John Koronkiewicz’s accomplishments in his 40 seasons of coaching football at Waupaca High School.

Koronkiewicz, who came on board as an assistant football coach in 1976 and took over the varsity program in 1984, will be recognized Friday, Oct. 2, during the Comets’ Homecoming game with Shawano.

“It’s very unusual that we have somebody that has committed themselves for 40 years to one particular sport,” WHS athletic director Carl Eggebrecht said.

That would be 40 years in two sports, as Koronkiewicz has also coached baseball since 1976.

Eggebrecht is in the process of contacting more than 40 past and present assistant football coaches about attending the game and expects about 25 to be on hand.

Coaches attending the game will be on the field with Koronkiewicz shortly before the Comets are introduced before the game.

“We wanted to do something because it’s our last home game,” Eggebrecht said. “It’s also Homecoming, so we’re trying to keep it simple.”

Koronkiewicz’s teams won conference championships in 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The 2008 team posted a 14-0 won a Division 3 state championship, while the 2006 team went 12-2 and also won a state title. The Comets also went to state in 1994, 2002 and 2012.

Koronkiewicz’s teams also posted undefeated regular seasons in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013.