Tom Hontz, center, instructs Upper Perkiomen's football team during a 2018 practice.  He resigned as head coach on Monday after nine searons.

            Tom Hontz initially considered resigning as the Upper Perkiomen head football coach before the season. He said he made up his mind during an in-season absence.

            On Monday night, Hontz made the decision official, announcing his decision to step down during the team's season-ending banquet. After nine years, he decided to let someone else lead the Indians.

            "I wish I could have had more success," said Hontz, a social studies teacher at the high school. "I know people are disappointed. Hopefully the next coach will be able to lift the program to the next level."

            Hontz said his frustration built during the season due to several one-sided defeats. This season, the Tribe posted a 2-8 record, including seven losses by at least 21 points.  "It wasn't enjoyable watching so many lopsided losses," the coach said.

            The team defeated Schuylkill Valley 31-14 at home on Sept. 2, then rallied for a 38-12 victory over Pottstown on Oct. 7 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. Hontz described the win over the Panthers, who qualified for the District III playoffs, as a quality performance.

            Since the pandemic, Hontz said he noticed a drop-off in his own dedication to the sport. He also expressed regret that his coaching staff could not cultivate enough athletes to deliver the level of success desired by the community.

            "I found out this is a very trying and difficult sport," said Hontz, who has coached football at every level in the district. "It's tough to build a winning program. Right now, we don't have enough players who have made football their passion."

            The coach said he decided to resign during his four-game nonattendance. High school Principal Rob Carpenter announced the absence for personal reasons in a Sept. 7 email. Hontz said the frustration of the season was building prior to his absence.

            "I was not happy with my reaction and how I was connecting with the players," he said.
            Hontz's most successful season came in 2017, when the Indians qualified for the District One Class 4A championship game. The coach also pointed to a 31-14 victory over Owen J. Roberts during the pandemic-shortened season of 2020 as another highlight.  "Despite what people say, we had success," Hontz said. "There were not enough great victories to lift the program, but we had a great group of guys."

            Hontz, who led Upper Perkiomen's wrestling team for 24 seasons, retains a passion for the sport. He currently serves as an assistant coach at Faith Christian Academy, where one of his two sons is a sophomore.

            The former coach expressed hope that a new coach and the burgeoning eighth-grade team, which has not lost a game in three seasons, could elevate the high school program.

            "Maybe a younger coach will connect better with the players," Hontz said.