Passion still burns bright as Donatucci nears 100 wins

Thousands of people see the fiery side of Mike Donatucci on Friday nights.

But on Thursday nights, only a few see the firey side of the man in charge of one of the most successful football programs in Mid-Suburban League history.

That's when Donatucci has his "talking circle" in his backyard, around a fire. It's one of the parts offensive coordinator Steve Patton loves about a program chasing an MSL record 13th straight playoff trip.

"It's a true open dialogue and the boundaries between coach and player are blurred a little bit," said Patton, who didn't know Donatucci before joining his staff in his second year in 1994. "People talk about their hopes and dreams and fears.

"Watching him facilitate that and guide kids through that discussion … I think that's an incredibly powerful bonding tool."

And the glue has been Donatucci, who is a victory away from becoming the ninth football coach to win 100 games at a Mid-Suburban League school or schools.

At times it may appear as if Donatucci is coming unglued on the sidelines. Especially on the rare occasions something goes awry defensively.

But that's just one way Donatucci shows he cares.

"We talk a lot about the emotional bank account, and he makes deposits with kids all the time," Patton said. "He really cares about that and they know that.

"He's passionate and compassionate. They respect that and thrive under that."

Pat Brown thrived in three years as a starter that culminated in his selection as an honorary co-captain of the 1998 Daily Herald All-Area football team.

Now, Brown is in his third year as a volunteer assistant coach.

"He's a guy who is pretty much like a second dad," Brown said. "He asked if I was interested in helping out and I didn't hesitate to say yes.

"He's done so much for all of us."

Brown's dad Mike has known the Donatucci family for years and started volunteering his time in 1993. Patton, who had been a head coach for two years at Marian Central in Woodstock, came on board the following year.

"When I first met Mike, one of the things that came across was how he really looked at the big picture," Patton said. "He understood football could be a teaching tool and the things he was doing beyond the football field were really appealing.

"He really cared about kids. He looked at it holistically and not just from a football standpoint."

Pat Brown said he was able to grasp that aspect even during his playing days.

"You can see the passion he has for the people who played for him," Brown said. "From day one, he instilled that 'Iron Will' mentality into everyone who passed through the program."

Major components of that motto are preparation and consistency. The only gray area with Donatucci is in his closely cropped hair.

"He'll tell you how it is and it's been like that since I started there," Brown said. "You always knew where you stood and you got a straight answer, whether you liked it or not."

Brown never felt as if he didn't have the right answers for whatever was coming when he stepped on the field.

"He's able to identify things and see them before they'd happen," Patton said of Donatucci's ability to consistently have his defense in the right places.

"There is never a situation you're going to get into in a game where someone doesn't know what they're doing," Brown said. "He just wouldn't allow that."

And in typical fashion, Donatucci wouldn't allow all the accolades to fall solely to him when his impending milestone was mentioned after last Friday's win over Prospect. He said the big one would be win No. 105.

"I'll enjoy that one more," Donatucci said, because it would be his 100th win with Patton.

"He's the most selfless man and loyal man," Patton said. "But it doesn't surprise me, because that's what he does for people around him and people he cares about."

Century of progress

Fremd's Mike Donatucci hopes to join the list of football coaches with at least 100 victories at Mid-Suburban League schools. These are the ones who beat him to it:

Dave Pendergast Conant 115

Grant Blaney Buffalo Grove 111

Jim Rucks Hoffman Estates 107

Rich Roberts Prospect, Buffalo Grove 106

Tom Cerasani Palatine, Schaumburg 105

Joe Petricca Palatine 103

Don Schnake Elk Grove 100

Fred Lussow Forest View, Meadows 100