The Roughneck D has suffered a huge loss this 2014 offseason, which may translate into an even bigger loss for East Noble Football, as a whole. Defensive Coordinator Peter Kempf has decided to end his three-year stint with the Knights and begin a new one at DeKalb High School as the Barons’ head coach. The bittersweet news broke on February 18, two months after East Noble finished its season with a loss to Bishop Dwenger in the sectional final, when Kempf tweeted his excitement and reflection to his followers:
Joining his wife, a guidance counselor at DeKalb, and shortening his commute from his residency in Auburn, Kempf commented on the proximity to his family, “There are 4 generations of Kempfs that live within a mile radius of my home. I am very excited to take my first spring break vacation next year with my family for the first time ever. My wife and I have never had the same spring break.” Although an invaluable incentive, family was not the lone consequence of changing scenery. “I look fondly back on my years there as a football player. I feel as I owe it to those men that influenced my life so positively with the greatest game on Earth. It is my opportunity to create that same type of atmosphere that was once there and pay forward what was given to me.”
As far as teaching goes, Kempf will remain in Social Sciences, the same area that he teaches here at East Noble.
His decision to take the head coaching job at DeKalb is not surprising to anyone who understands the difference between a defensive coordinator, the coach of the defense, and the head coach, the coach of the entire team, and the pride that goes into leading a team. “My responsibilities have shifted from just defense to operating an operation. My job moving forward, as a coach, is to build a program that makes DeKalb Football one of the greatest experiences of each football player’s life and to make sure that each player knows that if they commit four years to playing for the program, they will be the best football player they possibly could be and they had a heck of time doing it.”
Kempf, having graduated from DeKalb in 2002, played defensive end and was named All-Northeast Hoosier Conference, a Class 4A 1st Team All-State defensive end, and an Academic All-State defensive end. He also played four years of football at Wabash College. He coached an extremely talented 2014 class, consisting of players such as Walker Boyles, Nathan Wible, Jake Peterson, and Dustin Wells, to record the staggering numbers of 23 sacks, 18 forced fumbles, 19 interceptions, and 6 defensive touchdowns.
“Kempf is a great coach, and he is never afraid to tell you what to do. He makes sure you understand what he means,” explains senior defensive end, Dustin Wells. “He connected with the players in numerous ways, whether it was rewinding a big hit numerous times just to laugh at the guy who got hit, or calling plays we only run at practice because they were fun to watch. I am glad for him. This is a big step in his career and life, and I wish him the best of luck.”
“East Noble is an amazing place,” says Kempf. “These have been the best professional years of my life. Working with Coach Depew, Coach Beasley, and the current staff of Stinsons and Mr. Peterson has been a pleasure. Then, being reunited with Mr. Gilg made this experience even more special.” Kempf did not stop at coaches and administration though, making sure to emphasize that he will miss the players as well. “I will mostly miss the Roughneck D. All the young men that committed so much to me has made a lifelong impact. They believed and trusted in me. Leaving those young men is what pains me the most.”
Going past football, Kempf spoke of two “male role models” that he personally looked up to during his course here at the high school. “There are two men in the high school that I look to, to model myself after. They are Mr. Matt Rickey and Mr. Jake Swartz. Those two men are amazing at their jobs and bring a level of commitment to their craft that goes mostly unrecognized. Even though they don’t know it, their influence over me has made me a better person, and, for that, I am infinitely thankful.”
“My greatest memory of him is listening to him talk around the campfire in West Virginia. I will cherish that memory for the rest of my life,” continues Wells. “Kempf is an amazing individual and strives for excellence, while pushing others to do the same. I would like to say thank you to him for being a huge influence in my life, on and off the field. He is a great teacher and coach. No matter where he goes, I know he will always have a spot in his heart for East Noble and the students here. To me, he will always be Coach.”
As Wells, the football team, and the entire community of East Noble say adieu to Coach Pete Kempf, all he requests is a “hardy handshake and a thank you” for all he does, so here is your hardy handshake, Coach. East Noble will miss you just the same, and I know I speak for the entire community when I say that we are honored to have put the “EN” emblem on your hat and in your heart. Thank you for all that you have done.