Time was working against whomever South Elgin named to replace Jim Cook as boys basketball coach.
Any problems organizing the program might be minimized somewhat with the appointment of Brett Johnson to the job.
Athletic director Jason Ward made the announcement Thursday on Johnson’s hiring. Johnson, 32, becomes the new Storm coach only a little more than a month until official practices begin. A former Storm freshman coach, he’s in his ninth year teaching at South Elgin.
“I’ve been around the building as a (math) teacher and assistant and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Johnson said. “I have a passion for the game of basketball, and so much information and knowledge of it that’s been given to me over the years by some great coaches that I hope to impart on my players.”
South Elgin has a tumultuous coaching history in boys basketball.
Johnson is the fourth varsity coach in five years. Chaz Taft left for Waubonsie Valley after the 2012-13 season. Then Matt Petersen was let go after two seasons. Cook resigned just as school began this year, and the team was using his offense and defenses in summer tournaments and fall league.
But Johnson said he anticipates a quick, smooth change.
“The current group of juniors is one that I had when I was head freshman coach and it’s going to be exciting to work with them again,” Johnson said. “I know their strengths and weaknesses.
“At the time, Matt Petersen was our varsity coach and he let me run my own attack that wasn’t the same as theirs, which was the Grinnell system. So it was sort of a system within a system. I think that experience of making the decisions and running my offense and defenses helped me be ready for a varsity job.”
The only varsity basketball players Johnson said he hasn’t worked with are senior Logan Atkins and junior David Binion because they were called up to varsity as freshmen.
“It’s so much easier with me knowing the kids and them knowing me,” Johnson said. “And with me being in the building, it helps to get things done.”
Johnson played on the freshman and sophomore teams at Elgin when Hall of Fame coach Jim Harrington guided the Maroons. He was on varsity under Mike Miller and Dave Gilliland.
A Carthage College graduate, Johnson served as head coach of Storm freshmen for five years and the sophomores for two seasons. He was B coach for the freshmen last year under Cook.
“I really think Chaz Taft did a great job of preparing me to know what it would take to be a head coach,” Johnson said. “He helped me to understand all the small things, the details that have to be paid attention to if you’re going to be successful.”
Johnson also has served as assistant tennis and golf coach at South Elgin.
Twitter @genechamberlai2
