Mark Peterson has been named as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL. Peterson will begin his duties immediately.
A Chicago-area native, Peterson competed in football, basketball and track at Buffalo Grove High School, but he soon realized where his true passion lay. He played two seasons as quarterback for NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI before returning home and transferring to the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. While at USF, he not only started at quarterback for two years and earned all-conference honors, but he also realized his desire to coach and teach.
Peterson’s first position after graduation was at Andrew High School in Tinley Park, IL where he coached quarterbacks and running backs under Mike O’Neill, a member of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, he took a job at Joliet Township High School, where he began his association with Aubry. “I had some applications out, and I got a call from Coach Aubry,” remembers Peterson. “Just talking to him, hearing his vision of what he wanted to do with the program made an immediate impact on me.” Peterson would coach the varsity wide receivers and special teams and serve as the head sophomore coach. Two years later, when Joliet Township separated into two schools, Peterson followed Aubry to Joliet West. He was named the assistant head coach and later assumed the roles of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
During their time together in Joliet, the Tigers put together an impressive list of accomplishments. The program made its first two IHSA playoff appearances in school history as a Class 8A program in 2014 and 2016. The offense averaged a school-record 35.5 points per game in 2013, and Peterson’s five years as offensive coordinator showed increases in passing yards, rushing yards and points. As quarterbacks coach, Peterson mentored three all-conference and all-area players.
Peterson earned his BA in special education with a minor in sports management from the University of St. Francis in 2003. He earned an MA in health and science from Governor’s State University in University Park, IL in 2008. Peterson is married, and he and his wife Annie have two sons, Kye Parker and Ryder.
