Wednesday, May 9, 2007 7:10 PM CDT
Inman's in as new Wave boys' coach
Former Arcola coach to replace Lockart
By Mike Monahan Staff Writer
mmonahan@jg-tc.com
MATTOON – After the Mattoon administration received 10 applications, interviewing eight, the Mattoon school board approved the hiring of Brooks Inman as the new junior high physical education teacher and high school boys’ basketball varsity coach.
“I knew about the coaching opening and when I saw the opening for the junior high physical education teacher that is when I decided to apply,” said Inman. “I thought it would be really cool to coach and teach at Mattoon. The opportunity was there and I took it. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead. I am really honored to coach a Big 12 school. I thank the Mattoon High School administration and school board for giving me the opportunity.”
Inman, 23, coached last year at Arcola, where he led a team that had four starters and seven lettermen back from a 16-10 squad to a 20-8 season. It was the first 20-win season at Arcola since 1997-98.
“It was a great experience here at Arcola,” said Inman. “I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with great people here and they gave me the opportunity to take hold of the team. I worked with some great people and I will always remember them. Coach Nancy Stiff is a great role model. She helped me in a lot of ways and I am grateful for that. I wish the school nothing but the best. This is an opportunity I had to take.”
Arcola’s team included Lake Land bound and Journal-Gazette/Times-Courier Player of the Year Kyle Downs.
Inman, who plans to move from Arcola to Mattoon soon, replaces Bob Lockart, who resigned in March after an 0-22 season. Lockart has a 308-349 record in 28 years, including two stints at Mattoon. He was 56-50 from 1987-1991 and 64-136 from 1998 through this year.
“I have a lot of respect for coach Lockart,” said Inman. “He did a lot of good things for Mattoon and not just in basketball. He is a good member of the community. There are a lot of people that I know that had nothing but good things to say about Lockart. Coming in after him is an honor.”
Inman taught physical education and health and is currently the Arcola boys and girls’ high school track coach.
“Coaching in the Big 12 is something I have dreamed about,” said Inman. “As a coach I am always looking to move up. Never in my imagination did I think that something like this would come about this quickly. Mattoon has the potential to be a contender. The community is supportive of their athletics and that is something we can build on. I like the challenge. I think there is a lot of untapped talent. I know it is one of the smaller schools in the Big 12, but a lot of people think it could be a hotbed for basketball. It is a matter of working with the other sports and to establish the program. I plan on implementing a youth program. It is going to take some time to see the results right away, but it will be seen from their hard work and commitment right away whether it is in third grade, junior high or high school. I am very excited to be coming to Mattoon.”
Inman was a student assistant for four years at Millikin University and is a 2002 graduate of Okaw Valley High School. He coached under former Millikin coach Tim Littrell.
“I know people will be critical of my age,” said Inman. “I think it is something strong. I have a lot of energy and I think it is a positive. I look at this next year as my sixth year in coaching. I am not fresh off the boat. I learned a lot of things at Millikin under coach Littrell learned how detailed basketball is at that level.”
Mattoon had no returning lettermen last year on the team that didn’t come closer than 12 points during the season. However, the team did have 10 juniors and 16 sophomores, all of which could return.
“I know they have struggled over the past years, not having a winning season since 1991-92, but I have no doubt in my mind that we can be very competitive in the Big 12,” said Inman.
Inman had grown up around basketball and coaching as his father, Randy, coached Bethany basketball from 1979-1987 and coaches the junior high girls’ basketball and the high school softball team at Okaw Valley currently.
“My dad was coaching when I was born,” said Inman. “So I have learned a lot from him. I also give a lot of credit to coach Litterell for giving me such a great opportunity.”
Inman’s father coached him in the third grade at the Mattoon YMCA.
Inman, who also coached the Okaw Valley Middle School track team for two years, including one as an assistant, said he has known he had the job for several weeks.
“We kept it quiet for a while,” said Inman. “We wanted to keep it quiet and really it was until the day before the board meeting.”
Inman is hoping he has similar success as the past two former Arcola boys’ basketball coaches to be hired at Mattoon. It has happened two other times in the last 55 years and the two went on to a 308-320 record at Mattoon in 24 years, including 12 of the school’s 28 regional titles. Illinois High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame member Bob Avery coached the Purple Riders for five years from 1959-64 and was 88-41, including a 25-2 record in 1962-63 and a trip to the Sweet 16 under the one class system in 1963-64. Avery coached the Green Wave from 1969-87, compiling a 213-249 record, including eight regional championships and one 20-win season in the 21-9 1977-78 season.
The other time it happened was when Mattoon hired Andy Sullivan after he coached Arcola from 1948-52, going 47-53, including an 18-8 team in 1949-50. At Mattoon, Sullivan coached form 1952-58 and was 95-71, including four regional championships, including the 1952-53 team that was 22-7. Ironically Sullivan was at Mattoon when Arcola upset the then No. 7 Green Wave to win the regional championship in what would be Sullivan’s final game at Mattoon in 1957-58.
Contact Mike Monahan at mmonahan@jg-tc.com or 238-6854.
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Jamie wrote on May 9, 2007 9:27 PM: