Bitto Mum On Resignation As Hinsdale South Football Coach

Hinsdale South athletic director Tim Feigh was caught off guard Thursday night when Alex Bitto, head varsity football coach, resigned.

Bitto compiled a 10-26 record in his four seasons at the helm. He did not return calls Friday, made in an attempt to find out why he tendered his letter of resignation.

"I thought he did a very good job with the program," Feigh said. "He was a good disciplinarian and was well organized. You'd have to ask him the reason he (resigned)."

Bitto, who will remain as the school's dean of students, was Hinsdale South's fourth head coach in the program's 45-year history.

Bitto's resignation comes less than two weeks after the unexpected resignation of Hinsdale Central football coach Mike DiMatteo, who cited pursuing a second master's degree in history and spending more time with his family as reasons for his decision.

Feigh will meet with Hinsdale South Principal Brian Waterman to discuss the vacancies, and anticipates the two coaching vacancies will be posted after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hinsdale South is coming off a 3-6 campaign, including tying for fifth in the West Suburban Conference Gold Division with a 2-4 record.

Bitto replaced Jim Kirwan, who had a 103-66 record and guided the Hornets to the playoffs eight times in his 17 seasons as the head coach. Kirwan has remained on the varsity staff as an assistant coach.

Before becoming Hinsdale South's head coach, Bitto was the Hornets' head sophomore coach for two seasons after being an assistant coach at Oswego for nine years. He was the offensive coordinator for Oswego when it won the Class 7A state championship in 2003.

Bitto's brother, Andy, has been the head coach at Carmel for the past 13 seasons.