Coaching 101- HS Coaches Can Learn From College Transfer Portal

Sometimes our biases cloud how we look at things. I don't know if that is the case with with me in what I am writing. I believe college players should be paid, just not with the present system. And I believe they should be able to transfer but not with the total, unlimited freedom of today. Usually when people talk about the transfer portal, the focus on how it is impacting competitive balance that we once were used to seeing.

I watched two football games this past Saturday, and they both got me thinking about the importance of culture and the importance of player development. I am not talking about what college coaches should do, I am thinking that there may be some valuable lessons for us as high school coaches. What I saw reminded me of two important lessons in coaching. 

Game 1- Wisconsin vs. Rutgers

For the second year in a row, Wisconsin opted to dip into the transfer portal to bring in a fifth year QB. As 5th year players, they had more experience, had better arm strength, and some agility to run. Yet the offense struggled. After an injury this year, it resulted in turning to Braedyn Locke, a red-shirt sophomore (he transferred last year to UW and is in his second year). 

In a short sample size, the Wisconsin offense is much improved with the new QB. 

From what experts say, he doesn't have the same arm strength or the same agility of the other quarterbacks- but the offense has flourished to date. Just like in the NFL, he has spent a year on the sideline, learning the system. 

Lesson 1- Don't sell short the importance of player development. It takes more than having great athletes. Player development to improve their skill set and to fit in your program is key to success. In HS, we need to focus on development of our players throughout the entire season. 

Game 2- Oregon vs Ohio State

Oregon wide receiver, Traeshon Holden was ejected for spitting on the Ohio State defensive back. Holden transferred from Alabama last year. I realize that there are players who are in their fourth year at a school who do stupid things. I am not an insider so I don't know what kind of person Holden is, and I don't know how transferring impacted him. Maybe he is a great guy who just in the heat of competition did something stupid. The incident made me think. Do players when they jump from one school to another school become less likely to learn and to respect the culture of the program? 

Lesson 2- Team values and team culture are learned. And often they are learned thru shared experiences. As HS coaches, we must daily teach our culture.

Coaching 101- Coaching Isn't Just Coaching

I don’t know how many times over the years I have heard a coach complain, ”I wish I could just coach and not have to worry about all the other stuff.” 

I believe these coaches are saying they like working with their players in practice and in games, but they don't like do all the other stuff. On the floor coaching in practice is so rewarding, and games obviously are really exciting. When you are young and decide to go into coaching, this is what you envision coaching to be- practice and games.

Streaks Scrapbook- 1959 Boys 3rd in State

 

Boys  1959-    

3rd in State        

29-2        

(State Rank- #1)

The 1959 Galesburg basketball team is considered by many to be the best Silver Streak basketball team of all-time. Obviously deciding such a thing is open to debate. Clearly, the ‘59 Streaks must be in that debate. 

Anyone who knows history would not be surprised for me to start out talking about how a transfer impacted the team, but they would be surprised to find out that i am talking about two transfers that took place clear back in 1950. Two fourth grade boys moved into Galesburg on the exact same day in 1950. Jimmie Carr was from Texas, and Otis Cowan was from Arkansas. They lived a block from each other, and were in the same fourth grade class. 

They developed a relationship early on with Coach John Thiel. They lived within a couple blocks of GHS and the Steele Gym. The Streaks varsity would hold evening practices on Wednesdays that were open to the public. Cowan and Carr as 8th graders would walk over to watch practice. Coach Thiel would take time to talk to them and set them up to do some stats or run the scoreboard for him. 

Today, Jimmie Carr is famous as an all-time great radio announcer for Streaks basketball. People probably don’t realize how great he was as a player. In 1959, Carr (6’0”) and Cowan (5’10”) were Galesburg’s starting backcourt. Together they brought havoc on opponents with their quickness and pressure defense, and offensively pushed the ball. Together with what they could do offensively and defensively, veterans considered them one of the all-time best backcourts in GHS history. 

IHSA Tourney Proposal- High Seeds Host

 In Illinois in the 1930’s, there was a period of time when the team who took second in the Regional tourney also advanced to the Sectional level. The IHSA has made adjustments throughout the years. 

Up until the 1990’s, the IHSA assigned teams to a particular Regional, and a specific site. The frustration coaches, players, and fans had with this setup was that sometimes the two best teams in that whole area of the State might be in the same Regional. For example in the boys 1976 Regional at Galesburg, they sent Richwoods (#1 in the State) to play Galesburg (#7 in the State.) Coaches pushed for a change in format that would allow a chance to separate the best teams. The idea was to have the Galesburg vs Richwoods matchup take place on a neutral site at the Sectional level. 

1959- Steele Gyms Last Season

The 1959 Streaks were excited because they thought they were going to be the first team to play at the new high school located out on Fremont St. Because there water issues, the opening of the school was delayed. So the '59 Streaks were the last team to play in Steele Gym. 

Realize that Steele Gym was old but a great gym. In 1959, the two best gyms in western Illinois were Wharton FH and Steele Gym. And the last season at Steele was great- the '59 Streaks did not lose a single game. 

The following is a description with pictures of Steele Gym:

Steele Gym- A Community Treasure

This Sunday- Streaks Scrapbook- 1959 Boys 3rd in State

1959- Jimmie Carr- All-Time Great Streak

When people think about Galesburg basketball, nobody is more associated with the Streaks than Jimmie Carr. He has covered the Streaks on the radio for decades and still supports both the girls and the boys basketball teams. 

It all started for Jimmie as a player. Jimmie was one of the best players on one of the best teams in GHS history. 

The following is an interview with Jimmie Carr:

Jimmie Carr- I Was So Excited, I Could Hardly Sleep

This Sunday- Streaks Scrapbook- 1959 Boys 3rd in State

1959 Carr, Cowan, Nixon, Cox, Cannon, Nichols

The 1959 Silver Streak basketball team may have been the best basketball team in Galesburg history. They lost only one regular season game, and they were ranked #1 in the State most of the season. They finished the regular season as the #1 ranked team in Illinois. 

Old School Coaches- What Does Old School Mean

I am hoping to do this segment- "Old School Coaches" on a regular basis. I have put together a crew of retired coaches, who were highly successful in their high school coaching career. My hope is to post one question to them every two weeks. 

Bob Anderson- Williamsfield HS

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. 

Mike Cooper- Ottawa HS

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. He was inducted in the the IBCA HOF.

Tim Engebretson- United HS

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.

Greg King- Sterling HS

In his head coaching career at Sterling, his football teams went 78-28, and had 10 straight play-off appearances and 5 conference titles. In addition to his success as a football coach, he was inducted in the Illinois Athletic Director's Association HOF. 

Mark Massey- Clinton HS

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.

Thom Sigel- Rock Falls/Rock Island HS

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.

Mike Tracey- Alleman, UTHS, Moline HS

Mike coached football at Alleman, UT, and Moline for over 20 years. By most, he is considered the premier football coach in WB6 history. His teams won 140 games, and twice finished second in State. Mike is in the Alleman HS HOF and the Illinois Football HOF. He was also selected Illinois AD of the Year. 

Tom Wierzba- Farmington HS

Tom coached basketball for 38 years, coaching 26 years at Farmington. At Farmington, his teams won 7 sectionals and made 5 trips to State, including a third place and fourth place finish. For his career, his teams won 611 games. In addition, he coached softball at Farmington for 10 years- going 225-50. His softball teams won the State title twice and took fourth once. He has been inducted into both the IBCA and Greater Peoria Sports HOF's.

My Question

I labelled this bi-weekly post as "Old School Coaches." What do you think "old school" means? Would you have considered yourself to be old school?

It's Official- Albert & Elbert Kimbrough Field House

It is exciting that the District #205 School Board voted on Monday night to name the GHS Fieldhouse- The Albert and Elbert Kimbrough Fieldhouse. It will honor the 1957 GHS grads. The following is the letter that was sent to the School Board:

When District #205 chooses to name a building or area of the schools after individuals, it is a way for the school district to recognize and honor the achievements of individuals. The naming is also an opportunity for District #205 to educate our students and our community about individuals who have made historic contributions. The naming can also become a source of inspiration to Galesburg students to look at what is possible and to set their own dreams.

Gyms- Girls Deserve The Best

I saw a picture on social media of the UTHS girls basketball team in an open gym in the school’s main gym. The floor had been redone evidently this past off-season and it looked spectacular. Seeing the girls doing an open gym in the main gym gave me hope that maybe the girls were going to start playing there again. I couldn’t help myself, so I fired off several texts to people to ask if the girls would be moving back into the main gym. Happily, my sources indicate that the Panthers will be playing their girls games in that gym.

Streaks Scrapbook- 1997 Girls 4th in State

1997- Fourth in State    33-2   (State Rank #2)

The Streaks headed into the 1997-8 season after the 3rd in State finish by the 1995-6 team and the Sweet 16 finish by the 1994-5 team. Winning was expected but a return trip to State was probably not likely.

The 1997 team lost 60% of their scoring with the graduation of Sara Wood, Ami Pendry, and Jennifer Bulkeley. Wood and Pendry had been three year regulars, and Bulkeley a two year regular. 

The 1997 Streaks had a core group of Molly Watson (Sr- 5'4" Guard 19.0ppg), Melanie Pendergrass (Jr- 5'8"- Guard- 11.0ppg), Angie Galyean (Sr- 5'8"- Forward- 6.7ppg, 3.5rpg), Sarah Larson (So- 5'11"- Post- 9.7ppg, 8.7rpg), Jessica Thompson (Sr- 5'10"- Post- 7.7ppg, 5.8rpg), Megan Pacheco (Fr- 5'9"- Post- 6.5ppg, 4.8rpg), Meg Sherwood (Sr- 5'8" Guard- 3.5ppg). 

While many focused on what the Streaks lost in graduation, they missed what was returning. Watson had just signed to play D1 basketball at DePaul and was returning to start her third years as point guard. Thompson was returning as a starting post player. Larson, Sherwood, and Galyean all had been regulars. Larson slid into the starting lineup as a post. Galyean moved to the perimeter as a senior. She was limited as a shooter but gave the Streaks quick, athlete on the break. Watson would hit her over and over during the year as she sprinted the lane. And Galyean and Thompson were just what the Streaks needed at the front of their press- two long and active defenders to torment the ball. 

While Megan Pacheco was just a freshman and Sarah Larson just a sophomore, it should be noted that Pacheco, Larson, and Watson even today are in the top six of GHS career scoring. So in retrospect, the 1997 team had three of Galesburg's greatest players on their roster. 

Friday Fotos- 1997 Relentless Press

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures. This was the Galesburg press creating a turnover vs. Taylorville in the semi-finals at State in 1997. There are four Galesburg players on the floor going for a loose ball. The end result was a layup by Galesburg, and setting up the press again. 

Strategy- 1997 Molly Watson’s Play

As coaches, sometimes we think that offensively we need to make it complicated to “fool the defense,” or we need multiple plays to “trick the defense.” I was probably guilty of that too many times thru the years. In 1996-7 season, I was not guilty of trying to be too complicated. 

In 1997, we shot in transition off steals, rebounds, and made baskets about 25% of the time. We ran one simple action 50% of the time, and then ran others sets 25% of the time. Is this a successful formula, or is that too simple? In 1997 it was a successful formula. Galesburg went 27-0 in the regular season, ranked #2 in Illinois, and finished 4th in State. 

Why did something this simple work? The answer was Molly Watson. Molly was returning for her third year as starting point guard and that fall had signed with DePaul, a perennial top 20 program. At 5’4”, she was ver good. Rock Island coach, Rod Leatherman labeled her as,”The best girls basketball player I have ever seen.”

Faith and Coaching

In conversations with Thom Sigel, I became aware of the FCA Coach's Huddle that he is a part of. Earlier, I did an interview with Thom where he discussed the group- how it worked, who was involved, and the impact the group had on him. 

The conversation with Thom got me thinking about how religion and faith can impact individual coaches. In this blog, I have had an opportunity to see how five coaches feel their faith has impacted their coaching. Their thoughtfulness and caring for their student-athletes is inspiring. 

Jason Marquis- Bureau Valley, Head Boys Basketball Coach. He has been coaching at BV for 16 years, and been their head coach for 12 years.

David Terronez- Bettendorf, Head Boys Cross Country and Track Coach. He has been in this position for the last 10 years. He also was Head Cross Country and Track Coach at Rock Island for 12 years, and has been involved coaching basketball during this time. 

Ryan Kelley- Geneseo, Junior High Boys Basketball Coach and HS Golf Coach. Ryan has coached for 30 years as a HS boys and girls basketball coach. 

Thom Sigel- Retired- Thom was Head Boys Basketball Coach at Rock Falls and Rock Island. (If he ever comes back, it would seem the only "Rock" left would be Rockridge.)

Andrew Hofer- He was formerly the Head Football Coach at Mercer County. Today he is director of Three Rivers FCA. 

Favorite Gyms- Ranked by Coaches, Players, Fans

There are many great high school gyms in Illinois. Every coach, every player, and every fan probably believes they have the best gym in Illinois. 

In my idle time, I got to thinking about some of my all-time favorite gyms. I haven't been to all of the gyms in Illinois, but in 50 years of coaching I did see a lot of the gyms. As I began to make my list, it made me wonder what other coaches, players, and fans would consider as their best gyms. As I got back other people's lists of "best gyms," it became apparent that people's "best gyms" aren't just about the actual buildings but also about the memories coaches, players and fans have connected to the gyms. I asked Thom Sigel, Mike Reynolds, Barry Swanson, Ryan Webber, Bob Anderson, Jason Shay, Joey Range, Sean Hanlon, Jay Redfern, Amy Massey, Mark Massey, Amanda Gunther-Egli, Andie Allison-Leibach, Sara Wood, Chad Thompson, Lexi Demott, Kelsi Legge, Jenna Bicego-Wesselhoeft, Mark Harden Jr, Mike Cooper, Jay Hatch, and Megan Young.