I was more than fortunate to find these ultra-qualified people during my time @ Alleman-
Curt Johansen, currently the Athletic Director @ Emerald HS in California & formerly the head coach @ Iowa City High School.
Brian Jones, former head coach @ the University of North Dakota & currently the top assistant @ Bradley University.
Jeff Schneider, former Major League Baseball player w/ the Baltimore Orioles.
Justin Shiltz, former head girls coach @ UTHS.
Darren Bizzari, former head coach @ Black Hawk College & current asst coach @ Missouri S&T University.
Pat Rangel, current Alleman Head Coach & former Moline HS assistant.
I wanted my least experienced coaches w/ me @ the varsity level since I would have my best opportunity to coach the coaches. In no way, did I want those coaches to be made to feel any less important to the program.
My most valued assistant should be @ the sophomore level. In my opinion, if the defensive principles & toughness are not stressed @ the sophomore level, it will be culture shock when asked of our athletes when reaching the varsity level.
Our freshmen coaches should be those willing to teach fundamentals every day & shy away from worrying about their won-lost record.
Unfortunately, the coaches @ our feeder schools are mostly volunteers. We try to give them a blue print of our entire program. This requires extensive demonstrations & handouts as well as verbal feedback from our dedicated volunteers.
Mark Cooper- Ottawa
“It all starts with non-negotiables.”
When putting together a coaching staff—from the varsity level down to the lower levels—it all starts with the non-negotiables. All coaches must have character and integrity, a genuine passion for basketball, a strong work ethic, and a shared desire to see both the players and the program succeed.
Throughout my coaching career, I have always firmly believed that assistants work with me, not for me. That collaborative mindset dictates how we operate top-to-bottom.
Varsity Assistant: The Co-Coach Approach
I look at a varsity assistant essentially as a co-varsity coach. They must complement the areas where I need it most.
My varsity assistant was heavily relied upon during game prep, taking charge of scouting certain opponents, creating the pregame whiteboard, and delivering the pregame talk on their scout nights.
They were also directly responsible for all in-game substitutions.
In practice, we would divide up who acted as the lead coach for specific drills.
I feel it is vital for the players to see that the varsity assistant holds a significant, respected amount of say in what happens in the program.
Lower-Level Head Coaches: Organization & Player Development
For freshman and sophomore levels, coaches must possess strong organizational and leadership skills, along with the ability to handle various issues that arise.
Perspective on Success: Wins and losses aren’t the most important aspect of freshman and sophomore teams.
Evaluation & Growth: Trying to predict which players will have the best chance of playing varsity basketball can be difficult. Looking at commitment to the game, room for physical growth, and character are necessary traits to evaluate for all coaches in the program.
Role Understanding: They need to fully understand their specific role within the broader program pipeline.
Player Development: Their primary focus must be on teaching fundamental program concepts and fostering individual player development.
System Consistency: While I give lower-level coaches some leeway to incorporate things they personally like to do, the core terminology and fundamental beliefs must remain entirely consistent throughout every level of the program.
The Long-Term Vision
Ultimately, a strong staff is vital to the long-term success of the program. A head coach simply cannot do it all by himself. Because of that, it is the fundamental job of the head coach to make sure assistant coaches feel valued and genuinely passionate about playing a vital role in the success of the program.
Ralph Gallo- Richwoods
“Understand that not all suggestions will be accepted.”
When a head coach is hiring assistant coaches several possible situations could be in play.
1- Does the coach have the authority to hire the coaches or does the school have people in place. Ideally the coach has a choice to make the hires. The best situation would be to bring on a coach that has been with the head coach before.The varsity assistant would then be familiar with the head coache's system.
2- If that hire is not possible one must look for coaches that will buy into the programs philosophy. The head coach can be open to new ideas, but it is also important for the assistant to understand that not all suggestions will be accepted. That includes during practices and game situations.
3- If hiring a coach with little experience help them with practice plans explaining what each drill is designed to accomplish. During games give them specific things to look for and have them take stats. The biggest thing a coach can hope for is loyalty.
4- When hiring coaches at the underclass level again they must buy into the system that the head coach runs. Drills that are run at the varsity level should be run at the lower levels. Underclass coaches can also add their own drills.
5- Some expectations a head coach should set would be to stress fundamentals. If fundamentals are stressed success will come.
6- The coaches should also understand that they are coaches not buddies.
7- The head coach needs to make sure that the underclass teams are part of the program and not separate. One thing a head coach can do to strengthen continuity within the staff is to attend clinics as a staff.
8- Key things for assistant coaches would be to keep players in the program and most of all be loyal.
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
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
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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