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.
A crucial component of a successful team’s culture and of their execution on the court is the effectiveness of the team’s leaders. This week I asked the coaches how they identified leaders and how they helped develop leaders.
Greg Bennett- Lewistown
Over the course of my career, I was blessed to have dozens of great leaders on the various teams I coached. Although these leaders varied greatly in appearance, temperament, demeanor, and personality, there are certain traits that they tended to have in common:
1 - Leading By Example
2 - Being The Hardest Worker
3 - Being A Motivator
4 - Pushing Accountability
5 - Being Relentlessly Competitive
6 - Building Others Up / Not Tearing Them Down
7 - Promoting Positivity / Building Camaraderie
8 - Being A Strong Communicator
9 - Having Integrity / Being Honest
10 - Being “The Glue” That Holds The Team Together
Many of the great leaders that I have dealt with, already exhibited these qualities before I was ever involved with their athletic careers. I do, however, believe that a coach can help with the development of leadership skills. Coaches themselves should model leadership characteristics for the players to emulate. Coaches can assign leadership roles and responsibilities. Coaches can provide constructive feedback to team leaders, letting them know what they are doing well, and helping them to further develop their leadership skills in general.
I always believed that it was a very important for a coach to encourage the players to “take ownership” of the team and to set both short term and long range goals. I was always big on telling my players that “It’s YOUR team, not my team….what type of season do YOU want YOUR team to have? What do YOU want to accomplish? How do YOU want to be remembered?” I always thought that this message was particularly important to impart upon the leaders of the team (Especially those leaders in their final year of high school competition!) and, more often than not, found it to be a key component of overall team success.
Debbie Coffman- Bloomington Central Catholic
A good leader is someone who makes the people around them better. A good leader sets the tone, earns their teammates trust and helps others achieve their goals individually and as a team.
A good leader does the following:
Punctual – a good leader arrives early to practice and ready to go.
Leads by example works hard not only in games but in practice as well.
Dependable with a great attitude.
Communication - communicates positively to their teammates, coaching staff, and officials. They understand the expectations from the coaches and helps communicates that to their teammates while always encouraging others. Communicates the play to her teammates and is vocal on the court not only in games but in practice as well.
Listens and values their teammates and coaches’ ideas and concerns and makes others feel heard.
Stays Positive and Composed when adversity occurs within the team.
Shows Respect – recognizes the importance of respect including all players from the top player to the last player on the bench; includes everyone in team concepts and in participation. Builds connections with everyone on the team and coaching staff.
Picks others up – recognizes the mood of the team, when someone needs a pick me up, and helps get the team going,
Motivator – Understands what motivates the team and individuals on and off the court.
Tim Engebretson- United
Leadership is such a unique topic in that everyone has a different opinion of what good leadership entails. I feel like many of my teams rallied around different types of leaders. Some teams responded well to verbal leadership. Many teams wanted to be led by the best players. Other teams felt like the most popular players were the natural leaders.
Good leaders are respectful to everyone. They work hard at all facets of the game. They are trustworthy and coachable. They act with integrity and most good leaders are humble. Most importantly they lead by example. This sounds awfully corny but good leaders simply follow the golden rule. If your most talented players are your hardest workers you usually have great leaders.
To be honest we never did a lot of leadership development. I think the most important thing we can do as coaches is model the behavior we want out of our players. Fortunately I worked with a great staff that usually modeled positive leadership skills.
Karrie Redeker- ICC
Team leaders help keep the foundation of our program stable on a daily basis. They bring a positive, can-do attitude into the gym and conduct themselves in a high-class manner, both on and off the court. They can make more of an impact on teammates if they’re willing to be vocal, although that isn’t a requirement in my book. Leadership is influence---so they must be willing to be in the front of the lines in every drill, give 100% effort at all times and have a great attitude, and find a way to have a good rapport with each teammate and the coaching staff member.
As a coach, I work at establishing good communication with our team leaders early. First, I talk with them about the positive qualities I see in them and explain how those qualities can be used to impact the team. Then I ask each one if being in a leadership role is something they’re willing to take on as some kids aren’t comfortable doing that. If they’re willing then I’ll send them clips and quotes that talk about leadership and also do frequent check-ins about the mood and direction of the team and what we need to encourage or address. Early in the season, our leaders organize what we’re doing for pre-game warm-up drills, what we’re wearing for on game days, where we’re eating for pre-game, etc so they can have some immediate opportunities to communicate with the team in a leadership role.
Leaders stand up for what’s right, even it’s not popular, and find a way to get others on board with them so it’s also important that team leaders are of high character and someone worth following.
Past articles in the HOF Insights series….
HOF Insights- Past Articles
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
Coach Brinkman has won five Regionals in each of her years at Eastland. She has had teams win the Illinois State Championship and another team place 2nd in State.
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
Coach Reynolds has been successful at every stop. He is one of the top program builders in Illinois. Going into this season, he has 489 wins. He was selected into the IBCA HOF. He also is a coach with the Illinois Wolves AAU Program.
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
Coach Taylor has won two State Championships- 1996 with Shelbyville and 2023 with Moline. He also took Macomb to State. He has won over 700 games and has been inducted into the IBCA HOF.
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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