Former Providence Catholic (IL) head coach Tyler Plantz was in the headlines earlier in the year when it was announced on Sept. 14 that Providence Catholic had parted ways with Plantz despite a 4-0 start to the year.
Now Plantz has a new home, at least for the time being.
The Chicago Sun Times reported on Friday, Oct. 16, that Plantz has joined state powerhouse Mount Carmel (IL) as a volunteer assistant. In the report, Plantz noted that it’s nothing official and that he’s just around to help the defense.
After being around the team last week, Plantz starting help out the Caravan in more of a coaching role this week and is set to be on their sideline in Mount Carmel’s (6-2) regular season finale against unbeaten rival Loyola Academy (IL).
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Loyola Academy is ranked as the No. 14 team in the latest USA TODAY Sports Super 15 Midwest rankings. The Ramblers have not beat Mount Carmel since the 2024 season, when they rolled to a 31-7 victory.
Plantz’s dismissal from Providence Catholic was one of the biggest and most unusual storylines during the early portion of the 2026 high school football season.
He was in his sixth season with the program and had led them to a 35-19 record during his tenure there. Last season he helped guide them to the IHSA Class 5A state championship game.
A 2010 graduate from Providence and former Notre Dame walk-on, Plantz had previously served on the Notre Dame coaching staff under Brian Kelly before taking over at his old high school.
A day after Providence beat Carmel (IL) 31-7, Plantz was asked to resign from his position by Providence Catholic President Father John Mekelis in a meeting that lasted less than an hour. According to Plantz, Mekelis cited problems with disorganization related to scheduling games for lower-level teams, along with being unsatisfied with how he managed college recruiting.
Since Plantz’s dismissal, Providence, under interim head coach Adam Nissen, has gone 2-2 and is coming off of a 56-14 win over Marian Catholic (IL). They close the season at home on Friday against Sain Ignatius College Prep (IL).
As for Plantz’s new team, he joins one of Illinois’ premier programs, which is looking to win its state-best 17th overall state championship and fifth in a row.
Mount Carmel is 6-2 on the year with its only losses coming by 19 to East St. Louis (IL) in its season-opener and by 11 on Sept. 25 on the road at Brother Rice (IL).
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: [email protected]. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fired after 4-0 start, former head coach joins Illinois powerhouse weeks later