Local football coach to be inducted into Hall of Fame

Dieter Antoni coached Onalaska for nearly two decades

ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) — A local coach will be inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Dieter Antoni, who coached Onalaska for 19 years, will join the Hall of Fame’s 2015 class. From 1993-2011, he led the Hilltoppers to a 102-85 record, four conference titles, and 10 WIAA playoff appearances.

“I mean this really is icing on the cake,” Antoni said.

“Always wanted to win a state championship, that never happened. It’s not always about the wins and losses. It’s about the memories, as I told the kids and everyone you meet through the years.”

West Salem Coach Wayne Sackett nominated him. Antoni currently serves as an assistant on the Panthers staff.

Antoni has long put his heart into coaching, literally. In 2006, he had quadruple bypass surgery. Doctors also repaired a hole in his heart.

“This is unbelievable. It’s something I wouldn’t have dreamed of happening.”

Antoni learned the news via a letter he received Friday morning. The news was announced publicly on the WFCA Radio Show on WSSP-AM Milwaukee.