In the “HOF Insights”, I ask a group of successful, veteran coaches to share their thoughts on a variety of topics. Each week, I ask a different question. The questions can be focused on helping coaches, parents or athletes to have a more successful athletic experience. October is a busy month for basketball coaches. Coaches are trying to finalize plans for the upcoming season. It involves everything from organizing equipment to organizing the staff. Coaches want to hit the ground running when practices start in November. This group of coaches share their October checklist.
Brad Storm- Geneseo
“Players can only perform what they retain, not what is taught to them.”
Some things never changed, like making sure our inventory of uniforms, practice gear, as well as the equipment were good to go. This also included setting up pre-season meetings, arranging the team shoes (when we used to do those), meeting with assistants, meet with managers, completing the required administrative tasks for the school, getting hotel rooms for the Christmas tournament, and working out the season schedule. All the "little things" that needed to be done.
Much of my October focus was spent planning practices for the first part of the season and ensuring I was ready for the time I would spend with my team. Those had to be intentionally efficient. I knew that those practice plans might change slightly once we started, but I needed a general plan set.
When I think back to my younger years, I felt like I had to put so much into those first few weeks before our first games around Thanksgiving. I felt it was my job to prepare them with everything they might need. But, then I'd be frustrated because we spent so little time on so many things that they couldn't execute any of them well enough. Players can only perform what they retain, not what is taught to them. I was teaching them all that stuff so that I could feel I did my job introducing it all. Consequently, what I planned for early in the season later in my career actually became easier because it involved far less material. Our goal was to master those few things as best we could during the first two weeks, and winning any games with that foundation was icing on the cake.
Another thing that changed later in my career was purposefully scheduling time for culture and leadership when I created the season schedule. I would literally take some of our practice time, and/or add extra time, to focus on these things. At least once a week for a main lesson/activity and daily with planned short discussions and/or discussions as teaching moments that tied into our standards or into leadership arose in practice. I had to plan that out in October.
You can't win a conference or Regional title in October, but you could lose them then if you aren't prepared to get off to a good start. A rattled, unorganized, make-shift start to the season makes it hard to catch up to where you could, or should, be in February.
The last thing I would say about a pre-season checklist is to try to "build up points" at home. As hard as it is on you as a coach, it is even harder on a spouse, especially if you have children. Take advantage of the time you have before the season starts to spend it doing quality things with family, date nights, or whatever works for you. Don't just be home; instead, be present.
Larry Schulte- Alleman
Pre-Season Checklist
I must schedule gym time w/ the girls Coach.
In our situation, bringing new staff on board w/ a myriad of details
Issue practice gear & shoe fitting
Check academic standing of all athletes
Bring parents up to date on many details including end times for practices
Measure & weigh athletes for program purposes
Schedule picture day
Make sure our bench crew, timers, scorers etc are ready to go
Staff meeting to go over last minute details
Make sure all athletes have a plan for community service
Get permission from teachers to schedule a teacher appreciation night
Check to see all athletes have an up to date physical
Organize the team locker room
Basketballs are pumped up & cleaned
School announcement about the beginning of practice for any stragglers
Give athletes a schedule of practice times & expectations
Inform players to expect demanding practices w/ a lot of constructive criticism!
Jeff Parsons- Wethersfield, Fulton
“…habits create the "Standard" in your program that everyone will work together to protect.”
Many things come to mind as a coach gets ready for the season. As I enter my 31st year in Coaching and year 26 as a Head Coach (First Season as a Girls Coach at Fulton), things have changed a little, but for the most part over three decades things have stayed consistent about our approach.
The first thing to do is inventory the basketball equipment and see what supplies we need for the upcoming season and get those ordered through the Athletic DIrector, in this case this is me, so I will order things we need. I will double check with my assistant coaches to make sure that I'm not missing anything.
Secondly, I would double check the basketball schedule with the Athletic Director and start working on the calendar for the season. I would also meet with the boys/girls coach to go over gym times and report those to the person that is in charge of scheduling the gyms. I would normally go month to month, but some coaches do it for the whole year and that's ok as well.
Next, I would sit down with my youth coaches and make sure that they have an understanding of what we want from them as they progress through our system. I would also include clear expectations for what the players need to know before they get to the High School program.
The next step is to get the playbooks ready and have a pre-season meeting with our High School Coaches to set our expectations and roles as a staff. As practices start, we as coaches will be in communication about players, practices and the processes we need to take to get ready for our first game. We will constantly be evaluating the drills in practice as well as the players. The standard will be set as far as what expectations are each night and what the goals are moving forward, day to day and week to week.
Lastly, this starts in the beginning of the season and resonates throughout the season. "What is the Standard" Every team has a Culture. Are you, as a Coach, creating it or managing it? Culture is not built by a sign on the wall, but by Coaches and how they lead others in their program. Every time you as coach listen to listen instead of listening to respond, you teach your team true respect for themselves and others. When you as a Coach are calm during pressure situations, then your team will stay calm. I'm by no means talking about being emotionless and not excited. Channel those emotions into positive energy that your players can feed off.
Lastly, dont be afraid to make a mistake, and when that happens own that mistake it teaches your players and other coaches accountability. Doing this everyday creates consistency, consistency creates habits, and habits create the "Standard" in your program that everyone will work together to protect.
Past articles in the HOF Insights series….
HOF Insights- Coaching Panel
Bob Anderson- Williamsfield (Boys Basketball) Retired
Bob is retired as boys basketball coach at Williamsfield. At a school of only 89 students, in 45 years, his teams won 732 games along with numerous tourney and conference championships. His 1997 team made it to the Elite 8.
Kimberly Barth- Washington (Girls Basketball) Retired
Coach Barth, a State Championship coach whose passion for the game began at a young age, inspired by her father and coaches who help shaped her love of the game. In her 10 years at Washington varsity head coach, she earned 8 IBCA COY Awards. In 2025 the Panthers took 3rd in State, and in 2026 they won the Illinos State Championship. While her accomplishments speak to her success in the court, her greatest impact has been developing young women through the game she loves- teaching them to compete, lead, persevere and believe in themselves.
Greg Bennett- Lewistown (Football, Track, Girls Basketball, AD) Retired
Greg coached many sports at Lewistown. He had teams go to State in girls basketball and football. He is in the Illinois Football HOF as well as being in the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame. He is know for his commitment as a coach and his high energy level.
Vic Boblett- Geneseo, Rock Island (Football) Retired
Geneseo (4 yrs- 36-9), Rock Island (25 years- 230-69), Overall (230-69). As Head Coach- State Championship Game in 1990, 1997. As Assistant Coach at Augustana- National Champs- ‘83, ‘84, ‘85, ‘86. Hall of Fames- Geneseo, Rock Island, Illinois Football Coaches Association.
Todd Borrison- Preston, Assumption, SE Polk, Camanche, Mediapolis (G Basketball) Active
Todd has been coaching girls basketball in Iowa for 34 years, and is still coaching. His overall record is 597-196. Thirteen of his teams have gone to State, and he has had three teams win the Iowa State Championships. Todd was a finalist for the National Coach of the Year.
Nicole Brinkman- Eastland (Girls Basketball) Active
Kathy Bresnahan- Iowa City West (Volleyball) Retired
Kathy coached volleyball at Iowa City West from 1987-2000 and 2005-2013. Her teams made 7 State apprearances and won the State Championship in 2010 and 2011. She wrote a book, “The Miracle Season” about the 2011 season, which was made into a movie. She was National COY in 2011, State COY 2010, 2011. She is in both the Iowa Volleyball HOF and UW-Platteville HOF.
Debbie Coffman- Bloomington CC (Girls Basketball) Retired
Coach Coffman retired after 28 years at Bloomington Central Catholic. Her teams won 634 games with 204. Losses. BCC never had a losing season in her 28 years coaching. Her teams won Illinois State Championship in 2010, and finished 3rd (2010), 2nd (2011), 3rd (2015), and 2nd (2017). Debbie was inducted into the IBCA HOF and the Eureka College HOF. She is the past President of the IBCA.
Mark Cooper- Ottawa (Boys Basketball) Retired
Ottawa has a history of great boys basketball with legendary coaches like Gil Love, Dean Riley, and Gary Vancil. Mark Cooper in his 22 year career as head basketball coach set the OHS record for wins with 357 wins to become the all-time wins leader. Mark also was assistant in football and golf.
Mike Cooper- Ottawa HS (Football, Girls Basketball) Retired
Mike is the retired Athletic Director at Ottawa HS. He was varsity girls basketball coach for 22 years, as well as sophomore football coach for many years. His basketball teams had a record of 410-177, including 12 season of 20 wins and 7 Regional Championships. He was inducted in the IBCA HOF.
Tim Engebretson- United HS (Football) Retired
He was varsity head football coach for many years at United HS. He also has coached basketball at different levels. His 2005 team won the Illinois State Title, and Tim is in the Illinois Football Coaches' HOF as well as the United HOF.
Ralph Gallo- Richwoods (Girls Basketball)
As a head coach at Richwoods, his teams went 80-29. He was an assistant to legendary coaches at Richwoods- Mary Kay Hungate, Wayne Hammerton, Terry Quilty, John Gross, Heather Cassady, Jessica Reardon and Todd Hursey. As an assistant at Richwoods, the varsity teams went 834-213, took 3rd in State, twice took 2nd in State, and won the State Championship in 1983, 2005, 2009, 2018. Coach Gallo was inducted in the IBCA HOF in 2015.
Jay Hatch- Alleman, Riverdale (Softball, Basketball) Active
Coach Hatch has won 4 State Championships- 1 in Girls Basketball and 3 in Softball. In 32 years coaching at West Des Moines Valley (Ia), Alleman, and Riverdale, has a record of 651-351, has won 19 Regionals, 8 Sectionals, 3rd in State (2002) and 1st in State (2005). Jay is in the IBCA Hall of Fame and the Alleman HOF.
Greg King- Sterling HS (Football, Athletic Director) Retired
In his head coaching career at Sterling, his football teams went 78-28, and had 10 straight play-off appearances and 5 conference titles. He is in both the Illinois Athletic Director's Association HOF and the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Jim Martin- Lincolnway East (Girls Basketball) Retired
Coach Martin was the head boys basketball coach at Riverside-Brookfield and Oak Lawn before becoming the head coach at Lincoln-Way East for 17 years. Jim’s career record was 424-272 with 9 Regional Championship, 4 Sectional Finals Appearances, 14 Tourney Championships, and 6 Conference Championships. He has been inducted into the IBCA HOF. Coach Martin has been a longtime leader in the IBCA, serving on the Board of Directors and as past President.
Mark Massey- Clinton HS (Volleyball) Retired
Mark was the head volleyball coach at Clinton for 38 years. His teams won 818 games, and twice took second in State. He is in the Iowa Volleyball HOF and Clinton HS HOF.
Jeff Parsons- Roseville, Wethersfeild, Fulton (Baseball, Basketball, Principal, AD)
Jeff was a highly successful baseball and basketball coach at Kewanee Wethersfield. He was inducted into the IBCA HOF. Presently he is the Principal and Athletic Director at Fulton
Karrie Redeker- Tolona Unity, Parkland College, Illinois Central College (Basketball) Active
Coach Redeker is in her 15th year at Illinois Central College, and her 28th year coaching. She has won over 650 games. Her ICC teams have gone to the Nationals 7 times. She was inducted into the IBCA HOF. Karrie is on the IBCA Board of Directors and is considered a leader in Illinois basketball.
Mike Reynolds- Bismark-Henning, Galesburg, DeKalb Active
Larry Schulte- Sherrard, Black Hawk, Fenton, Alleman (Basketball, Athletic Director) Active
Head coach at Sherrard, Fenton, and Alleman. Coach Schulte’s teams won 353 games. Larry guided Alleman to 5 State Appearances in 1995 (4th), 1996 (3rd), 1997, 2000, 2004. After coaching at Alleman, he became assistant coach at Augustana College. HOF’s at Alleman and the IBCA.
Thom Sigel- Rock Falls/Rock Island HS (Golf, Boys Basketball) Retired
Thom coached basketball for 32 years. His teams won 502 games, and he has the distinction of winning the State Title at both Rock Falls and Rock Island. Thom is in the IBCA HOF.
Brad Storm- Geneseo (Boys Basketball) Retired
Brad coached basketball for 33 years. He was head coach at Eminence (Ind), Erie, and Geneseo. At Geneseo, his Maple Leafs won three Regional titles in his 16 years, and the Leafs made the Sweet 16 in 2007-8. In addition, he also coached AAU with Martin Brothers Nike program. Presently, Brad is a regional coach for Lead ‘Em Up. This year he is the President of the IBCA.
Sean Taylor- Shelbyville, Macomb, Quincy, Jacksonville, Moline (Boys Basketball) Active
Mike Tracey- Alleman, UTHS, Moline HS (Football, Athletic Director) Retired
Mike coached football at Alleman, UT, and Moline for over 20 years. He is considered the premier football coach in WB6 history. His teams won 140 games, and twice finished second in State.
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