Tim Hermann is prepared for the challenge -- in fact he is looking

forward to it.

On Tuesday, Hermann, 51, officially accepted the positions of activities director and head football coach at Austin High School, leaving his home of 11 years at Champlin Park for what will likely be his greatest challenge yet.

Hermann's official responsibilities as Austin's new activities director begin July 1, and duties as the new football coach start with assembling a staff of assistants. Steve Knox resigned as Austin's football coach after 16 seasons, assisted this past campaign by Dwayne Hagen and Austin Pacelli activities director Gary Erlandson.

Hermann had the opportunity to be Champlin Park's activities director for a year when the school was caught in a pinch in 1999. The then-activities director quit the position in August of '99, forcing the school to search within for an immediate interim replacement.

When Austin's administration decided to offer the football coach and activities director jobs as a tandem, Hermann took an immediate interest.

"I was intrigued by the combination of the head football coach and the activities director positions because I had a chance to do that for a year and I really liked it," Hermann said. "Our school policy, though, said that head coaches were not allowed to hold administrative positions, but they were caught in a pinch and they hired me to do it as a teacher on special assignment.

"I loved it and it seemed to go very well, but the bottom line was that I couldn't do that and coach football at the same time. Ultimately that's really what I've been looking for."

Champlin Park has an enrollment of 2,380 students in grades 9-11, while Austin enlists just 998. Champlin, a northern Twin Cities suburb, has upward of 70 activities to oversee. Hermann has been the head football coach there since the school opened in 1992.

"We took our shots early on, but lately we've really turned into a great solid program," Hermann said. His Rebel football squad has become a mainstay near the top of the Northwest Suburban Conference, reaching the Class AAAAA finals twice in the past five seasons and finishing state runners-up both times, in 1998 and 2002.

"We've got great coaches here, it's tough to leave a program like that," he said. "But at the same time I can feel good about leaving it in the state it's in."

Hermann is hopeful that the Austin community is prepared for the hard work and patience it will take to make the Packer program a successful one under his system.

"We need to get players out again and get an excitement about football again," Hermann said. "The number one thing is I love football. This is an opportunity to bring pride back to the program.

"Austin's got a great community, and it really does get excited about its high school athletics because they are a community. The community members are really attentive to the many things that are going on in the school."

The most challenging part of Hermann's new role at AHS will begin immediately. Hermann will have to split his time between football and his duties as activities director when the fall seasons start up in August.

"What really matters is how we handle things as a department or as a program," he said. "I know people are going to be looking at me whether or not I can do both things. But this is not a one-man show by any means. I don't like to say 'I.' Everything has to be a 'we' thing, both in our athletic office and in football.

"It's not something that's new to me. We had more than 70 activities when I was A.D. and I had great people around me that helped. Football is only one of many things we do at Austin."

Hermann's secret to success took a slow start, even this season. Champlin Park opened the season 1-3 before winning all the way into the 5A finals, where Eden Prairie picked up a 21-0 championship victory.

"It starts with getting good people to coach," Hermann said. "And the second thing is getting kids and parents to believe in what we're going to do and get them excited to be a part of it.

"If I walked into a community that doesn't care, I wouldn't go there."

An Austin High football squad has never qualified for the state tournament but has been in the Section 1 championship game a number of times over the years. Hermann would not promise instant success, but rather the opportunity to be successful.

"It will be a process," he said. "I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be a challenge in many ways."

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.