A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
Scott Arntson has stepped down as the varsity football coach in Esko, citing a need for more family time. He led the team for nine seasons, four which included state tournament berths.
Scott Arntson talks to his football team after Esko defeated Two Harbors in 2022.
After nine seasons as the head coach of the Esko football team, Scott Arntson has decided to step down and focus on family, freeing up time in what is a very busy life.
"I just felt this was the right time and situation for me to step aside," Arntson said. 'I have a granddaughter and another grandchild on the way. My granddaughter lives in Duluth, and I hardly saw her during the season, and the new one will be living in Wausau, so I know if I was the head coach I wouldn't be able to spend the time I want to with them. I also think a new coach might be able to give the team new direction to continue to be successful."
The news follows the decision by Cloquet head football coach Jeff Ojanen to step down, also citing family obligations.
Arntson was the head coach at Duluth Marshall 2000 to 2006 and then joined longtime Esko coach Bill Hudspith's staff in 2007. Arntson became the head coach in 2016. During his tenure, Esko made four state tournaments.
"There were some big shoes to fill following Bill and the short list of coaches who have been head coaches in Esko," Arntson said. "All of those coaches were community legends and there was a lot of pressure trying to live up to those standards. The community and school are all so supportive and that made the job that much easier."
Arntson said the players and coaches he worked with were reasons it was a great job for him.
"As the head coach, I get way too much credit for the wins," Arntson said.
Arntson singled out assistant coaches George Perich, Ben Haugen, Scott Antonutti and Tony DeLeon as integral to the success of the Esko program along with the players.
"All of those guys are exceptional coaches," Arntson said. "Esko kids are hardworking, coachable, smart and fast kids. We never had the real big kids, but we had the kids who will outwork you and who paid attention to what we were trying to teach them."
Despite stepping aside as head coach, Arntson is fairly convinced he will be back in coaching in some capacity in the future.
"I love coaching kids, and when you're the head coach you're dealing with all the administrative stuff, and a lot of that takes you away from the hands-on coaching that I love to do," Arntson said. "I have no idea when or where I might get back to coaching, but I am hoping that I will get back to it someday, probably as an assistant coach."
Arntson has been involved in coaching football since 1994, so for the time being he is looking forward to a fall where he can spend it exclusively with his wife and ever-growing family.
