After Coach Allert, Coach Bob French came in from Stratford two years after being part of the 1978 Stratford Coaching Staff. Bob French finished his career at Northbrook with a 27–29–4 record, with his best season at NHS being the school record 7–3 in 1981. After French came Coach Howell Ferguson, whom finished his career at NHS with a 20–38–1 record, with his best season being in 1988 with a 6–3 record, Northbrook's 2nd best season ever. One game was cancelled due to Hurricane Gilbert. The 1988 team fell one game short of the state playoffs by losing to Katy 21–9 late in the season.