Leading off today: Caledonia-Mumford football coach Mike Monacelli confirmed yesterday that he is retiring after posting a 186-50 record in 23 seasons and capturing four New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships.

   Monacelli, who has already retired from teaching and will stay on as athletic director, made up his mind last summer.

   "We tried to keep it under wraps," Monacelli told the Democrat and Chronicle. "It kind of leaked out here and there, but not in a big way, which is what I wanted. I wanted this season to be about the kids and what they are doing, not a Custer's Last Stand type of thing."

   Monacelli appeared before Congress in May to testify on head injuries. The Caledonia-Mumford school district began to use sophisticated concussion testing for athletes and other students in 2006.

   He shared his decision with the players Monday, three days after a loss to Tuckahoe in the NYSPHSAA Class D final in Syracuse.

   The Red Raiders won 10 Section 5 championships and made it to six state tournament finals under Monacelli. They also won a New York State Sportswriters Association poll championship in 1992, the year before the NYSPHSAA began crowning tournament champions.

   “The program’s in a good place right now — we have 20 kids coming back from varsity next year, and we had an undefeated JV team,” Monacelli told the Livingston County News. “When I took over the cupboard was bare, and I didn’t want that saddle to be put on someone else.”

   More Monacelli: Every section of the state has go-to guys, and Monacelli has played that role in the Rochester area for a long time. Reporters have long appreciated being able to go to him after the game and get honest answers and, more often than not, the quote that makes the story shine.

   "They call it coaching golf," he said the other day in reference to his spring responsibilities. "I look at it as a relaxing spring time."

   One of his other trademarks is yet another reason why I like dealing with him: Monacelli's idea of game-day attire is nothing more sophisticated than a pair of jeans, a jacket and a ski cap. The look just screams "working class," and is a perfect fit for the community.

   In trouble: When I heard that Maine South High in Park Ridge, Ill., is in trouble with the Illinois High School Association, I figured the Hawks must gotten caught stashing out-of-district players in booster-funded apartments or perhaps allowing academically ineligible kids to stay in the lineup.

   Nope, Maine South's woes are a little less typical than that.

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   The three-time defending Illinois Class 8A champion has been asked to explain the creation and use of counterfeit sideline passes and the presence of alumni on the sideline at the 28-7 win vs. Chicago Mount Carmel in the state final in Champaign on Nov. 27. The IHSA is also asking questions about fan conduct during the semifinal vs. Wilmette Loyola Academy.

   "It is unfortunate to have what should be a time of celebration marred by the unethical actions of individuals associated with the school's football program," IHSA executive director Marty Hickman said in announcing the investigation. "As we told members of the Maine South administration on a conference call, we take these abuses very seriously. Not only do these actions present significant safety issues, but some could potentially provide a competitive advantage, which may warrant sanctions."

   The IHSA asked Maine South to conduct an internal investigation. Meanwhile, the IHSA will consider a course of action.