Sports Editor Evan Long broke the news on Tuesday afternoon about Chris Jaax being named the new head football coach. (See @bishopcarrollflyer for Instagram story.) Long caught up with Jaax a few minutes after his promotion was announced. 

What are you looking forward to the most? 

“Bishop Carroll is a great school and it’s a great community. It’s something that’s been really integral in my formation as a person. The football team has been important in that too. It’s an honor to be a part of such an important program with such a storied tradition and have such a big impact on the players and families and the school as well.”  

 Why did you want the job as football coach? 

“The biggest thing for me was I care a lot about the football team and I care a lot about the school. I want the school and the football program to compete at a championship level and to be the type of program that forms kids. So it was mostly the desire to continue to build the tradition that BC football is and moving that forward.” 

 What changes do you plan to make? 

“Obviously, you know, there are things with weights and offseason things that will be the first things kids will notice on how we will do things differently. I will meet with players and parents and go over what the expectations are and what the offseason looks like. The purpose of the offseason is to develop the team and to build team culture. It’s making different changes to the way the weight room is set up and the way the expectations are set up for players to facilitate a building of strength and culture within the program for the future.”  

BC football isn’t used to having losing seasons. Last season the team was 2-7. How do you plan to turn it around? 

“I think the big thing is we have a good group of players returning and so putting those players in position to be successful through the offseason and transition into the season so they play confident, they play fast and they play aggressive. I really think there is a lot of talent on this team so it’s just basically creating an environment that is going to tap that talent.”