“Old School Coaches” is back for another year. Our format has changed just a little bit this year. Some of our coaches like Coach Bennett were getting worn out writing every other week. When he found he was not getting graduate credit for this, he rebelled.
This year will have four of our coaches addressing a topic each week, but we will take one week off. On the off-week, I will be posting one of last year’s blogs again.
I really appreciate these coaches taking the time to share their thoughts. I know I have learned a lot reading their posts over the last year, and I certainly hope that maybe some “new school coaches” will also find it valuable.
This year our “recruiting coordinator”, Mark Massey really came thru for us. We have added two legendary coaches from the State of Iowa. Kathy Bresnahan (Iowa City West) and Diane Lichtenberg (Bettendorf) were HOF coaches and State Champions in volleyball.
Coach Bresnahan is the author of the book “Our Miracle Season” which was made into an outstanding movie. She won multiple Iowa Coach of the Year Awards, and she was National Coach of the Year in 2011.
Coach Lichtenberg had only one losing season in 34 years coaching volleyball at Bettendorf while winning two State Championships. She is in the National Coaches HOF.
Our first month we are going to do a series: 5 Tips for Players, 5 Tips for Parents, and 5 Tips for Coaches. Our first post will be Wednesday, August 13.
If you want to look back at any of the “Old School Coaches” posts from last year, click below and the entire series will appear.
Old School Coaches from 2024-5 Year
If there is a topic that you would like the group to address going forward, just put it in the comments of the blog, or email me at emass70@yahoo.com
Here is the list of our coaches…
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.
Greg Bennett- Lewistown
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.
Kathy Bresnahan- Iowa City West
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.
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.
Diane Lichtenberg- Bettendorf HS
Diane coached volleyball at Bettendorf for 34 years. During that time, her teams had only one losing season while winning two State championships. She has been selected to both the National Coaches HOF and to the Iowa Volleyball HOF.
Jeff Parsons- Wethersfeild, Fulton
Jeff was a highly successful baseball and basketball coach at Kewanee Wethersfield. He was inducted into the IBCA HOF. Presently he is the Athletic Director at Fulton
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. 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. I
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