By RICHIE HALL
Whenever Curt Funk and his family drove down Interstate 69 to Indianapolis, he would see the facilities at Fishers High School in plain view of the highway – including, of course, the Tigers’ football field.
Funk had been the coach at Mississinewa High School for 10 years and had developed a solid championship program there. But when the Fishers position became open after the retirement of Rick Wimmer, Funk knew he had to take a chance.
“You hear all these good things about the school system and high school,” said Funk. “I felt like when it was open, I had to apply and give it my best shot to get the job.”
On Wednesday, Funk’s best shot paid off, as he was hired as the Tigers’ new head football coach. The announcement was made at the Hamilton Southeastern Schools board meeting, where Fishers principal Jason Urban gave Funk a warm welcome, and athletic directors Rob Seymour and Jim Brown were there by his side, along with Funk’s wife Janette.
Urban noted that the interview process was a rigorous one, which drew some smiles and chuckles from those in attendance. But Funk welcomed the process, saying that he “would’ve expected nothing less.”
“That way they found the best fit for them, because I think that’s the important thing with any school when they’re hiring a teacher and a coach is that they find the best fit for their school,” said Funk. “And with them doing their homework, they have confidence in me that I’m the best fit for their school, and so that’s why I’m excited to work here, with the administration.”
Funk has a solid track record as a coach. During his 10 seasons at Mississinewa, the Indians have compiled a record of 77-36, and had winning campaigns for nine consecutive years. Mississinewa has had at least 10 wins over the last four seasons, sectional titles in 2017 and 2019, going 11-2 in the latter season.
Funk served as the defensive coordinator for the 2017 North All-Star team and has been the head wrestling coach for the Indians for the past four years. Prior to his years at Mississinewa, Funk was also an assistant coach at Mooresville (2006-10), Muncie Southside (2005-06) and Bluffton (2003-05).
“With a winning record over the past nine seasons, Coach Funk has proven himself as a successful football coach,” said Seymour. “However, what really excites us about Coach Funk is his dynamic personality and his passion for the success of his student athletes.”
Fishers has been a remarkable story in football since the school re-opened in 2006. With Wimmer leading the way from day one, the Tigers had winning records in 11 of their 14 seasons, three sectional championships and a state title in 2010. Funk said Wimmer has laid an “awesome foundation” at Fishers, calling him a top-notch coach.
“The challenge is to build on that success, for sure,” said Funk, who will teach in the physical education department at Fishers High School. He graduated from Purdue in 2003 with a BS in Industrial Technology Education and holds a K-12 certification in physical education.
Funk said he will be meeting with the players today during their lunch periods. His official start date is Feb. 24, but he is ready to meet his new team.
“I’ve been watching them on film,” said Funk. “I know them by their numbers and their names on the roster, but I’m excited to see their faces tomorrow.”
Funk graduated from Bluffton High School in 1999, where he was on the football team. He was also a standout wrestler, qualifying for the state meet during his junior and senior years. Funk finished third in the state at 152 pounds in his junior year, and won sectional and regional titles both seasons, moving up to 160 his senior year. He was also a regional qualifier at 152 his freshman and sophomore seasons.
In fact, Curt and Janette Funk’s oldest son Kyler, a senior at Mississinewa, has followed in his father’s wrestling footsteps. Kyler is a four-time semi-state qualifier, and made it to the state meet during his sophomore year at 182, winning a sectional title as well.
This season, Kyler has already won sectional and regional championships at 195, and will compete in the New Haven semi-state on Saturday. Curt and Janette have another son, sixth-grader Camden.
Fishers High School welcomed Curt Funk (center) as the Tigers’ new head football coach Wednesday at the Hamilton Southeastern Schools board meeting. Funk comes from Mississinewa, where he coached for 10 seasons and had multiple winning seasons and sectional titles. Also pictured are Fishers athletic directors Rob Seymour (left) and Jim Brown. (Richie Hall)