Janet leaves Notre Dame AD position to pursue family time

Chris Janet has always been a Bulldog at heart.

He has no plans for change in that regard, but he does have new plans for his personal and professional life.

On Monday, Janet announced his resignation as the Notre Dame Regional High School's athletic director and coach so he can pursue job opportunities that will allow him to spend more time with his family.

"As hard as it is to imagine leaving Notre Dame, I feel it's time that I put my family first," Janet said. "And it's hard to do in this profession. It's a very demanding job on time and energy."

Notre Dame principal Brother David Migliorino said he's known for weeks of the possible change, which became official Monday.

"With a heavy heart I took his resignation," Migliorino said. "But I understand it's a career move, family, time and all that."

A 1980 graduate of Notre Dame, Janet has overseen major changes in the Bulldog athletic landscape in his 12 years as athletic director. During his 14-year tenure at Notre Dame, he also served eight years as the head basketball coach, nine years as golf coach, three years as softball coach and two years as a baseball assistant. Janet was serving as golf and softball coach the past year.

Migliorino said Darrin Scott would become the school's new athletic director and continue to serve as varsity boys basketball coach.

"Darrin will bring a lot of enthusiasm to the job," Migliorino said. "His spirituality fits right in with our whole mission."

Girls basketball coach Jerry Grim will take on the golf duties, while baseball coach Jeff Graviett will add softball coach to his titles.

During Janet's tenure as athletic director, Notre Dame added nine new teams: cross country, track and field, swimming, girls soccer, a dance team and golf.

The school won 31 district championships, made 12 final four appearances and won three state championships. He's leaving with Notre Dame on top of its game. The school won district championships in all its team events this school year, including the school's first Class 1 boys state soccer champion and state runner-up finishes in girls soccer and girls basketball. During his time as athletic director, the school's enrollment has increased to 475 for the 2003-2004 school year, up from 228.

"As hard it's been to make this decision, I can walk away extremely proud of our accomplishments," Janet said. "I'm not taking credit for all that, but I've seen the growth. It's just been a wonderful, wonderful experience."

Janet and his wife, Jill, have three children: Casie, 18, Abby, 14 and Jake, 8. Janet said he felt like he already has missed many happenings in his children's lives.

"I always told my athletes their priorities should be God first, family second, academics third and then your team fourth," Janet said. "And when I was reflecting on making this move, I had to reflect on my own life. And I don't think my family was placed in the proper order."

Janet said he began considering a career change after a friend approached him about an opportunity in sales that was coming open this summer.

"It's a little bit scary turning in my resignation before I've actually landed a job," Janet said. "But the timing was important to Notre Dame and I understand that."

"He's changing jobs, he's not changing allegiances," Migliorino said. "His children will still come to Notre Dame, and he'll be active in the Notre Dame parents. He said, 'You know brother, I might be back.' And that wouldn't upset me. That would make me happy."

jbreer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 124