Coaching Staff

Head Coach   Rodrigo Pozo
Coach Pozo is a former HPHS Giant. He played all four years at HPHS and was a CSL All Conference Player and IHSA Regional Champion. After High School Coach Pozo, played one season of NCAA Division 3 soccer at Carrol University. Pozo has extensive coaching experience with working with players of different backgrounds and ability levels. Coach Pozo, served as an assistant coach for the boys freshman team from 2019 - 2021 and as a varsity assistant coach in 2022 under then head Coach Blake Novotny. Coach Pozo is a Physical Education Teacher at Hawthorn Middle School and he is bilingual English/Spanish.

Assistant Varsity Coach    Herman Cordova
Coach Cordova was a former HPHS Giant player and team captain.  Coach Cordova also played at Lake Forest College and has extensive knowledge in the goal and on the field. Coach Cordova is a Spanish teacher at HPHS. Coach Cordova is bilingual English/Spanish. 

Junior Varsity Coach David Cordoba
Coach Cordoba enters his 11th season as a Special Education teacher's assistant at HPHS as well as his 10th season working in the boys soccer program.  His enthusiasm for the game shows in his teams performances and improvement throughout the years.  Cordoba played at Niles North high school and club soccer as a youth. Coach Cordoba is bilingual English/Spanish. 

Sophomore Coach  Marco Aviles
Coach Aviles comes to the HPHS program after working with soccer players at Northwood middle school. Coach Aviles played at Niles West high school and was an All-Conference selection there. Coach Aviles is a physical Education teacher at Northwood Jr. High in Highland Park. Coach Aviles Bilingual English/Spanish

Freshman Coach   Juan Marban (HPHS
Bio Coming Soon!

Head Coach (2000-2021)    Blake Novotny

Novotny has completed 11 seasons as the boys varsity coach at HPHS after 10 seasons as an assistant in the boys program and 9 seasons as the varsity girls coach.  During his tenure as the boys varsity coach Novotny has lead the Giants to 7 tournament titles, 5 conference championships, 2 regional championships, and won regional COY in the 2011 season.  As a player Novotny starred in Troy high school in Michigan and was a 2-time All-State selection and an All-Midwest selection.  At the collegiate level Novotny was a 4-year starter at D1 national powerhouse Penn State University, an All-Big 10 Selection, and captained them to a #1 national ranking during 4 weeks of the 1999 season, a school record in victories, and a #6 final national ranking. Novotny has taught visual arts for the past 21 years at HPHS, contributing to arts in the school, community, and at Focus on the Arts. Mr./Coach Novotny won the Highland Park community Golden Apple in 2014 for his teaching and coaching.  Coach Novotny is bilingual English/Spanish.