He’s coming back to the Chicago area.
Robbie Gould, a fan favorite during his time as the kicker for the Chicago Bears, has been named the head football coach at Rolling Meadows. Gould retired in December from the NFL.
Gould said he’s looking forward to meeting with his new team. Rolling Meadows has qualified for the state playoffs 19 times in the past 25 seasons, reaching the Class 7A semifinals in 2019.
“Coaching has been a vital part of my development and success at every level of my career, high
school through the NFL, and I look forward to providing the same kind of guidance and leadership to young people here at Rolling Meadows,” Gould said in a news release. “It’s time for me to give back for all the opportunities I’ve enjoyed.
“I can’t think of a more meaningful or enjoyable way to do that than by helping develop students as athletes and young adults.”
Gould, who played with the Bears from 2005 to 2015 and is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, will meet with the media Tuesday at the high school.
Megan Kelly, the principal at Rolling Meadows, is excited about the hire.
“All of our cocurricular coaches and sponsors play an invaluable role in providing opportunities outside the classroom for our students to learn,” Kelly said in a news release. “The fact that our football team will now be led by someone who has accomplished so much professionally is incredible.
“Even more important, however, is what we immediately recognized in our conversations with coach Gould: that he will serve as a phenomenal mentor and role model for our kids.”
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould celebrates his winning field goal, his fifth of the game, that defeated the Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Gould, who grew up Pennsylvania, was a three-time All-American soccer player in high school. He went on to play football at Penn State. He ended up making the team as a walk-on freshman.
Undrafted by the NFL, Gould was with the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in 2005 before signing on as an injury fill-in for the Bears. He then played 11 seasons in Chicago.
Gould, who led the Bears in scoring for 10 of his 11 seasons and set a franchise record with 10 seasons of 20 field goals or more, closed out his career with the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
In 2006, Gould was chosen first team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl after leading all kickers with 143 points. He converted a handful of big field goals as the Bears advanced to the Super Bowl for the first time since winning in 1986.
Known for his pinpoint accuracy and clutch abilities, Gould finished his NFL career 447 of 517 on field goals and 620 of 636 on extra points. He was 86.5% on field goals and 97.5% on extra points.
Upon his retirement, Gould was ninth in accuracy for kickers in NFL history. He did not miss a field goal or an extra point during the postseason, and is the league’s 10th all-time scorer.
At one time, Gould said he had dreams of running a major corporation, putting his business management degree from Penn State to good use. Instead, he’s going back to his roots in his first job as a head football coach.
