Anyone who has followed Cathedral football over the past decade knows how dominant a program former Head Coach Mr. Rick Streiff had built. When Streiff decided to retire before this season, a ready replacement was found in Mr. Bill Peebles ’88. Although many were optimistic about where the football program would head under Peebles, some wondered how anyone could replace a coaching legend in Streiff.  

Vice Principal Mr. Jere Kubuske, who served as an assistant coach under Streiff and more of a helper under Peebles, highlighted the challenge: “It is always hard to be the guy that replaces the guy.”

However, Coach Peebles is having no problem in building this team for the future, although he fully recognized it could be a challenge when he originally took the job. He officially arrived on campus this past January, noting that it was an easy decision move down the street from Lawrence Central. He uttered only one word to summarize why this decision was so simple: “family.” 

Cathedral has been a part of Peebles’ life throughout his entire lifetime. “My father went here, I went here, my kids went here. So the decision to come back home was kind of a no-brainer,” said Peebles. His father, Mr. Julian Peebles, was the school president from 1990 to 2000. The family ties proved to be the driving force in Peebles’ return.

Under Streiff, the program maintained an excellent culture that helped produce 10 State titles over his 23-year stint. Peebles doesn’t plan on removing that culture from the program, but instead adding to it. “We want to build off the culture we already have, which is solid. I’ve taken over programs that had dysfunctional cultures, but that is not the case here. But when there is a change in leadership, the culture is going to shift based on personality and one’s needs.” 

Kubuske has viewed this addition from his role with the football team as well. He thinks that Peebles has done a really effective job with the culture so far, explaining, “Coach Peebles has an interesting perspective as he, his father, and his kids all attended Cathedral. He wants to use that to build upon what Streiff has done. He has done a great job of bringing a new outlook and a new energy while also respecting all of the things that have been done before him.”

Any time a new head coach is introduced, cdifferences in coaching style can be expected. Peebles explained that he doesn’t necessarily know what is different between Streiff and himself because he wasn’t here the past few years to know Streiff’s coaching style. Kubuske, however, said he feels that the two coaches are actually more similar than they are different. “Both coaches do a really good job of letting Coach (Nick) Lyons ’04 and Coach (Adam) Barth run the show on offense and defense while giving input and suggestions. They both also give many important responsibilities to all of the staff members.” 

Aside from that similarity, Kubuske noted that Peebles is more intense on the sideline. 

“Streiff is more calm, which was not necessarily a bad thing. Peebles brings more of the energy, while Streiff stayed more composed,” Kubuske said. 

That intensity is helping to elevate the culture already instilled in the program, setting the course for the future of Irish football, which stands as the winningest program in Indiana history. 

Peebles, “In a few years, I want the program to be where it’s always been: At the very top of great teams in Indiana and a nationally renowned program for what we do on and off the field.”