Jon Paszt

College coach infobox
Name = Jonathan Edward "Bubba" Paszt
DateOfBirth = February 22, 1983
Birthplace = Norridge, Illinois
Sport = Football
Title = Head Coach
OverallRecord = 39–16
State Championships = 2007/2008
Player = Y
Years = 1998–2001
Team = Ridgewood Community High School
Position = Linebacker
Coach = Y
CoachYears = 2003–2008
CoachTeams = Paris

Jon Paszt is nationally recognized as one the most innovated new high school football coaches formerly of the Paris Tigers of Paris, Illinois.

Early life

Jonathan Edward Paszt was born to Edward Paszt and Mary Paszt on February 22, 1983 in Chicago, IL. He also has two older sisters, Tina and Michelle. Growing up in Norridge, IL, Jon attended James Giles School from Kindergarten to 8th Grade. Under the tutelage of Paul Frerking (coach of the Giles Lion basketball team that once owned the national record for consecutive wins) Jon's passion for coaching grew. Many nights his parents found him in his room creating plays instead of working on his actual homework. Jon also excelled at many NYA sports making various all-star teams in baseball & football. It was also around this time where he earned the nickname "Bubba", because of his ability to eat a lot.

High School Career

Jon played JV his freshmen year of high school. The team enjoyed moderate success and he also split time at halfback. His sophomore year he was called up to varsity and became a fixture at outside linebacker. Although, Jon moved up to the Varsity, his JV football squad won despite him earning a 6-3 record and playing for the S.P.C. Conference Title in 1998. Jon was named captain his senior year as they made the playoffs for the first time since 1998. Turning down scholarships to Northern Illinois University and University of Iowa, he decided to attend Triton College in River Grove, IL to try to walk on Triton's successful baseball team. Kirby Puckett is a notable product of Triton.

College Career and First Coaching Job

Despite not playing Triton baseball, Jon transferred to Eastern Illinois University where he eventually earned his degree with the focus on being being a high school guidance counselor. It is while he was attending here that he took a job as a linebackers coach at Paris High under head coach Mike Pagliaro. Also on the staff was Ryan Deady, who was also a Ridgewood Community High School alumni. Coach Pastz's first season was a disappointment with Paris finishing 0-9.

Rise to Prominence

In 2005 Jon instilled an innovated offense he dubbed "Ed Express", named after his father. Utilizing a spread offense and a mobile quarterback, his team improved to 7-2 that year and reached the quarterfinals of the Illinois High School Association playoffs. The following year he completed a perfect 9-0 season and eventually finished 14-0 and captured his first state title. In 2007 his team ran the table again and completed another 14-0 season. Despite playing in 2A, (a designation for smaller schools) Coach Paszt has received accolades and acclaim for his coaching skills and many college schools are recruiting his services. It is rumored that even Bill Belichick studied Paszt's offense in the summer of 2007. Some of Coach Paszt's plays were integrated into the Patriots' offense and is credited to the success of the first undefeated NFL season in over 30 years.

Coaching Change/Return to Ridgewood

On February 11, 2008, Paszt announced he was leaving Paris for the recently vacated offensive coordinator position at Ridgewood Community High School (his alma mater) It is yet to be seen the impact he will have there and the pressure of restoring prominence to a once proud football tradition at Ridgewood. On March 21, 2008 Coach Paszt became engaged to his long-time beau, Alex. It is inevitable that Coach Paszt will procreate and have the next generation of great coaches.