The Mark Jonas era with the Green Bay Preble football team is over before it even began.
The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer was notified Thursday morning that his football job was revoked by the school and that he will no longer be employed as a teacher.
Jonas met with Tim Flood, after-school programs administrator for Green Bay Public Schools, and a human resources representative.
While that discussion was going on, he believes another person in human resources was relaying information to players and assistant coaches at Preble.
Jonas learned through a source that the players had been informed of his resignation.
He wants to make it clear that's not the case. He's been preparing for the season since he was hired in February and is looking forward to his first year with the Hornets.
Neither Flood nor Preble College athletic director Dan Retzke responded to messages seeking comment about Jonas.
Lori Blakeslee, the district's communications director, emailed a letter sent to Preble families by Preble Principal Courtney Kuhn and Retzke.
She said Preble and the school district would not be making any further comment “because this is a personnel matter.”
“This letter is to inform you that Mark Jonas will not continue in his position as head football coach at Preble High School,” the email read. “The Green Bay Area Public School District thanks Mark for his dedication and service to Preble High School.”
“Brad Bookmeyer will serve as interim head coach for the 2024-2025 season. Coach Bookmeyer will work diligently to fill the remaining vacancies within our football program in preparation for next season.”
“As members of the Preble football program, we are committed to providing a positive experience for our student-athletes.”
Jonas said she asked why such a decision was made but received no explanation.
“It was along the lines of, 'I had a meeting on Monday about other things and I thought I was pretty clear on Monday,'” Jonas said. “I said, 'No, on Monday you told me to be patient, and now I'm out of a job.'”
“I don't know what to say.”
When Jonas was named the new coach, it was expected that he would be employed as a teacher at the school next school year.
But the two positions he interviewed for were filled, and he applied for a third English teaching position but didn't get an interview, and as far as he knows, that position remains vacant.
Jonas said he believes the district did not make a serious effort to hire him as a teacher despite opportunities available to him and that he interviewed with the principal at Edison Middle School, but that position was also given to someone else.
Jonas expressed concern that she had not received a teaching position and said she was told to “trust the process.”
“There was never a job promised,” Jonas said, “but you know what the coaching world is like: You try to get coaches in the building.”
Jonas said he was told the decision had nothing to do with his leadership or coaching abilities.
It's no exaggeration to say that he was surprised by what had happened.
“I don't think I, and I don't think anybody, will ever get a good answer,” Jonas said. “What I keep hearing throughout this whole process is that this is the Green Bay way. I don't even know what that's defined as, but I was totally prepared to be the head football coach there. I was totally prepared to teach there. I was totally prepared to make an impact there and help change the culture.”
“It was all part of the job. I think the kids have already bought into what we were trying to do. They've been great. The backroom team has been great. I don't know.”
Jonas was hired by Preble to replace Dustin Grethen, who led the Hornets for six years.
Jonas has been Southern Door's coach the past two seasons, during which he compiled a 20-3 record and won the Packerland Conference championship after finishing runner-up to Kewanee last season.
“Coach Jonas has been a huge part of our success and I want to thank him for all he's done for our program,” Southern Door High School quarterback Drew Daoust said after Coach Jonas was hired by Preble High School. “He changed the culture of this school as soon as he got here and made an impact on this school.”
Preble brought in the decorated coach Jonas to help the team bounce back after a 1-8 record in 2023 and an 0-9 record in 2022. The team hasn't won more than two games in a season since 2019.
Jonas began his career as an assistant at Reidsville in 1985 before becoming coach at Hilbert and leading the program to WIAA Division 6 state titles in 1994 and 1996.
He also coached at Oconomowoc for four years and Kaukauna for five years before arriving at Ashwaubenon.
Jonas led the Jaguars to a 64-38 record and playoff appearances in each of his 10 seasons. He led the Jaguars to Fox River Classic Conference championships in 2010 and 2013.
He has helped over 40 student-athletes play college football.
But there's a chance he won't be on the sidelines this fall.
“Our offensive line is ready to go, our defensive coaching staff is ready to go, so we're ready to go,” Jonas said. “The kids are excited. You know what it feels like. Every day is like Friday Night Lights, because we get a chance to do what we love.”
“Right now I'm thinking about getting a job at UPS.”
Jonas was asked about his future as a football player and whether he plans to sit out this year and look for something next season.
“To be honest, it's still so new,” Jonas said. “I have no idea. I really have no idea. Right now I'm just looking for work to put food on the table.”
