Since 2012 Jonathan Schlemmer has been the head football coach of the Sterling High School Varsity football team. Schlemmer has one of, if not the most, prestigious careers in the history of Golden Warrior football.
Over the years Schlemmer has racked up a number of impressive wins, when asked about some of his favorite wins Schlemmer highlighted a “double overtime win at DeKalb week 9 in 2016” stating that it was “the start of something pretty special.”
Schlemmer continued by remembering “the quarterfinal win at Woodstock Marian” and that it “was really cool for our program and community” as it was the first time the Golden Warriors had made it to the state semi-finals.
Golden Warrior TV director Jim Spencer, who has called nearly every single game coached by Schlemmer, added that “the swing in emotions from the Sycamore quarterfinal loss in overtime in 2016 to the quarterfinal win at Marian in 2017. It meant so much to everyone associated with the program to finally get over that quarterfinal hump.”
However, maybe the most memorable moment came on September 13, 2024, when the Golden Warriors defeated the United Township Panthers in a thrilling 27-26 game that secured Schlemmer’s 97th career win, a record-breaking feat.
Schlemmer stated, “It was cool. It was team 120’s first win, so that was what I really cared about. It’s humbling for sure. I’m proud to be the head football coach here and this just tells me I’m getting old. It was cool to see how many of our kids cared about it.”
Senior safety and wide receiver James Wadsworth said, “It meant a lot to the players that we got coach his win. It was a team goal for us.”
Over the years Schlemmer has obtained many precious memories. Schlemmer explained, “I don’t know if I can point to a single moment. The older I get things like having my kids and wife at games means a lot. Being able to have my dad on the sidelines is something I will never take for granted.”
He continued by sharing, “I get to coach with some of my best buddies. Seeing each team work and celebrate wins is something that will never get old.”
Schlemmer will go down in Golden Warrior history as one of the best to ever do it as the head football coach at Sterling High School, a legacy that will continue for the years to come.
