May 3, 2021 at 8:35 a.m.
Kotula steps down on eve of girls' soccer season due to 'health issues'
Kotula steps down on eve of girls' soccer season due to 'health issues'
News of the resignation was confirmed to the River News by both Kotula and RHS activities director Brian Paulson Sunday afternoon. Paulson said he informed the team of the news Friday afternoon.
Kotula, who respectfully declined to elaborate further on the situation, referred to his letter of resignation.
"This is a very emotional moment for me and my family. As has been announced, I am stepping aside from my position as head girls' soccer coach," the letter states. "Being a head coac(h) takes an incredible amount of energy and at this time of my life while dealing with multiple health issues and doctors' visits I believe it is time for new leadership to take over.
"This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some great players, parents, and coaches here at Rhinelander High School," Kotula's letter continues. "Saying goodbye to my returning players is the hardest part of all of this, though I know they will move on and do fine without me, but I will miss the daily contact in the season with some of the finest student athletes and just great individuals.
"My goal has always been to strive to help individual players see the strengths within them and utilizing it to be a difference maker as they are the future that we have! I have been fortunate to see many soccer players go through the Rhinelander High School Soccer program that now are very successful members of society. It always makes me very happy to see how hard work and dedication as some of the few of many fundamentals that we teach as coaches are now applied in real life with great results. I have also been very fortunate as a small business owner to hire some of the past players that already graduated college and those have always been the hardest working, most loyal and dedicated employees, something that in this world is very rare."
Kotula has spent 16 seasons with the RHS soccer program, mainly as an assistant coach under longtime head coach Dan Millot. Kotula was named the head girls' coach following Millot's retirement after the 2018 season. 2019 was Kotula's only year as head coach. The Hodags went 11-5 overall, finished second in the Great Northern Conference and earned a No. 1 seed in the WIAA Division 2 tournament before being eliminated in the sectional semifinal round by eventual state qualifier Marshfield.
"Richard's been coaching for a lot of years before I even got here," Paulson said. "He coached under Dan, and Dan Millot was a very successful coach. Richard was there all through the years, boys and girls, he was giving back. He was working at Foster and Smith, rushing to practice afterward, at the same time raising two girls. I just want to thank him. Obviously, coach Kotula's made a difference in the soccer program."
Bates has spent two seasons as RHS boys' soccer coach, taking the reins in 2019 following Millot's retirement. He has a 15-11-6 career record and helped guide the Hodags to a GNC title this past fall. Paulson said the remainder of the coaching staff will remain intact, with Jason Lowry and Morgan Voigt continuing to assist the team.
"Putting him as the head coach, he's coached these kids at middle school, helped them out when there was club soccer out there," Paulson said. "Most of them know coach Bates and I think that, like Richard has said, they'll be in good hands. They should have a good, solid season."
Paulson said how the coaching staff look following 2021 remains to be determined.
Kotula stated he would not rule out a return to coaching at some point, provided better personal circumstances, and thanked those involved for their support of the Hodag soccer program.
"I want to once again express my appreciation for sixteen great years coaching in Rhinelander School District," his letter stated. "I feel fortunate to have been given the chance and blessed to have been able to work with such outstanding players, parents, coaches, teachers, and administrators throughout my tenure. Thanks again to all for helping make being a coach at Rhinelander one of the great experiences of my life."
The Hodags open the 2021 season tonight at home against Mosinee.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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