Brent Pearlman’s run as Grayslake Central football’s head coach has come to an end after three years with the team; Pearlman resigned from his position in October of 2025. After being so highly touted and the seeming reviver of Central football, Pearlman’s reign as head coach has met it’s end.
Previously, Pearlman had coached at four schools from 1999-2022, all in the Mid-Suburban Conference. This 23 year long career includes what Pearlman is most known for; his peak coaching at Prospect High School, where he won three State Championships in five years. Prospect made five trips to State and Pearlman went 103-34 in his 11 year stint with the Prospect Knights. With this impressive record, Central had the highest of hopes bringing him in to lead the team in 2023.
Pearlman went a combined 16-20 in his three years at Grayslake Central and failed to make the playoffs during this time. Senior star receiver, Bryce Carlson said “I feel like we had left a lot in the tank” and that he is not satisfied with a three year varsity career. Attitudes vary amongst players about the state of the football team after these three years. Pearlman announced his resignation to coaches and players in mid-October of 2025.
Rams superfan leader, senior Alfonso Hermes, offered his opinion on the football team and leadership from a fan’s perspective. Hermes said “His decision making was questionable… He was too conservative on fourth and one and in big crucial moments and there wasn’t much improvement.” With some of the most important aspects of high school sports, especially football, being fan engagement and excitement, Hermes felt disappointed. When asked if it was easy to cheer for the team Hermes said “Unfortunately not, it’s been rough especially with all of the blowouts.”
Reggie McClure II, assistant coach that was on the staff with Pearlman said “Sometimes the wins don’t always show up on the score board and on the field… growth for the program is one of the things you gauge to the success of your program.” When asked what being on Pearlman’s staff was like, McClure said “It was great… there was a lot of familiarity,” since they had both played under the “legendary John Eliasik at Harper College.”
So, what’s next for Grayslake Central football? When asked what qualities he would like to see in the next head coach, superfan leader Alfonso Hermes reflected on Pearlman’s previous training practices, saying “I’ve heard from a lot of players that he over exerts them during lifts and that led to a lot of injury.” Receiver Bryce Carlson echoed this saying “I feel like as the year had gone by and we got deeper into the season, I feel like the players [were] more worn down because of the too high tempo practices and weight rooms. We had a lot of injuries.” Carlson also said “He would scream at us a lot” when being asked how Pearlman would help them when they would struggle.
Pearlman’s exit closes a chapter in Rams football history that hoped for revival but never fully delivered, leaving behind a program eager for change. From the perspective of players and fans, Central’s football program is ready for a shift in leadership, which would include a program that values sustainable preparation and a culture athletes can thrive in. As the school searches for its next coach, the Rams stand at a crossroads, ready for a fresh start and a new direction.
