Robbie Gould will step down as the head football coach at Saint Viator High School after the 2026 season, the school announced Wednesday. The former Chicago Bears kicker said he made the decision so he can spend more time with his family.
The move gives Saint Viator football a clear end point, not an abrupt one. Gould will stay in place through the 2026 season, which means the school has time to plan for a transition while still leaning on the coach it chose to lead the program.
That is the piece that gives this announcement its weight: Gould is not leaving in the middle of a season or under pressure. He is choosing an exit after a set finish line, and the school is acknowledging the choice rather than fighting it. Ryan Aiello said Saint Viator is grateful to Coach Gould for his leadership, dedication and commitment to student-athletes, and added that the school appreciates his contributions to Saint Viator football, respects his decision to prioritize his family and wishes him all the best.
Gould’s football background helps explain why the news carries beyond one sideline. He is described as an 18-year NFL veteran who spent 10 years with the Chicago Bears before finishing his career with the San Francisco 49ers. He also coached at Rolling Meadows High School in 2024, a step that fits the path of someone staying close to the game while moving into the next stage of life.
What the school has not said is who will replace him. That leaves the most practical question hanging over the announcement: whether Saint Viator will promote from within, search outside the program or wait until closer to the end of 2026 before naming a successor. For now, Gould remains the coach, but the countdown has started.
For Saint Viator, the immediate reality is simple. The program keeps Gould for one more run, and then the search begins for the coach who follows him.
