Some decisions are both easy and difficult, as John Tsarouchas can attest.

Tsarouchas, who played high school football in Taft and returned to train there for 10 years – leading the program for the past five years – resigned on Tuesday.

He moved to Spanish Fort, Alabama, where he would teach English and coach offensive linemen at Foley High,

“In short, life has arrived,” Tsarouchas said on Tuesday evening. “I told people that a pile of dominoes would have to fall for something like this to be possible. They fell in no time.

In particular, Tsarouchas said: “I have always given priority to the family. My in-laws live in Alabama, we go there to be with the family.

But leaving Taft will be difficult, especially after the Eagles have become one of the elite programs of the Public League under Tsarusha’s watch.

He led them to a conference title in the Chicago Big Shoulders and Class 8A playoffs in 2016, to a place in the 8A playoffs and to the school’s first public league football title in 46 years in 2018. , and a third IHSA playoff bid in 2019.

The Eagles were 3-2 in the abridged pandemic season, giving Tsarouchas an overall record of 26-20.

“It has been so enriching and rewarding to lead my alma mater,” Tsarouchas said. “Fortunately, we are growing and improving. It was a joy.

Having said that, he added, “I feel like I’m leaving with unfinished business.”

The Eagles competed with Simeon in 2019 and Phillips this spring, but were unable to eliminate the traditional powers of the CPS. And Taft is 0-7 all-time in state playoffs.

Still, Tsarouchas thinks he’s leaving the program in the right place. It credits players for their purchase.

“I’m very grateful to the first group of kids who really had no reason to believe they could be (that) good. Their attitude, effort and confidence in the process laid the foundation. “

Taft now has its own lighted stadium on campus, making Friday night lights a reality on the northwest side. And there is both talent and numbers at the lower levels. Taft’s B-team, made up mostly of sophomores, took over Roosevelt’s schedule this spring when the Rough Riders pulled out and won the Chicago Madison Street title.

Even though he will no longer be the Eagles’ head coach, Tsarouchas will never stop being loyal to his old school.

“I am a child of Taft,” he said. “I have always had the Taft chip on my shoulder to this day. Everyone wants to bring him down, he’s going to have a problem.