Best Coaches In the State

Fair enough! I never thought of my hitters as simply dropping the bat-head on the ball although that is a very simplistic view of what they do. However, with the weight shift and rotation, we seem to hit our fair share of HR's and doubles. I guess in high school, I'm saying that it is pretty sound reasoning to have a team put the ball into play often and this style seems to enable us to do that.

Missing from this thread is a list of coaches from the middle of the state. Down here, anything from Springfield to Bloomington is considered middle of the state. Any thoughts out there from people on outstanding coaches in that area?

"There comes a time when you have to stop dreaming of the man you want to be and start being the man you have become." Bruce Springsteen

BTIL, I love Ozzie but he could have been so much more valuable if he ever went deep in a count. This much he obviously ignored while working with Lau. Ozzie cost himself a minimumm of .025 OBPct. from a lifetime perspective and in so doing, cost the sox more than a few chances to score/win!

Coach...Why not give the coaches a call and tell them about our site and they can add so much more insight about "Southern" baseball?

Importantly, they might give us some "names" of players to watch this spring and into the summer and into next year!

Thanks.

BeenthereIl, I have! I post a lot on Illinoishighschoolsports.com and have mentioned the site often. Also, I have the page marked for my players and parents. Just about everyone in our area knows about my site because I'm not bashful. BTW, my site is:

http://www.triad.madison.k12.il.us/ths/sports/baseball/index.htm

I think a lot of guys in our area are real secreative about what they do. However, we have just formed a Metro East Baseball Coaching Association and I'm in charge of arranging 4 clinics in the winter for the association. I'll post more on that later. This association is planning to have an All-Star Game and a Showcase. HOW MANY DAYS TILL MARCH 1ST??? lol (13 MORE DAYS AND COUNTING!)

"There comes a time when you have to stop dreaming of the man you want to be and start being the man you have become." Bruce Springsteen

Good for you, coach.

2005 best hs coaches
1. Frank Ganser Andrew
2. Joe Rodeghero Providence
3. Napoleon New trier
4. Jim Forniciri Glenbard West
5. Jeff Bonebrake Benet
6. Jared Voss JCA
7. Ledbetter Oak Park
8. Dan Fazulio Wau.Valley
9. Jim Hall Lockport
10. Bob Stevens Holy Cross
Sorry for the spelling and this is based on watching alot of high school games.
Best travel Coaches
1. Sam Source prarie Gravel
2. Todd Fine Shaun Sanderson top tier
3. Gary Johnson Blaze
4. Bill Obrien Lombard
5. Rich Peldis Norwood

My choices for my kids to play for:

1. Mike Napoleon
2. Jim Hall
3. Paul Groot
4. Glen Pecoraro
5. George Ushela
6. Doug Sutor
7. Jim Lindeman
8. Jim Fornaciari
9. Carl Hunckler
10. Dar Townsend

Adding to #9 Carl Hunckler (Naperville North) I would put his 1st base coach Mark Lindo on this list. Enormous knowledge of the game and loves to teach it as well. Had one of the best 10 year runs in Il history at Aurora Central in the 80's. Probably will end up in the Il basketball and baseball coaches hall of fame and deservedly so.

There are def. a lot of great names being thrown out. On one of the first "top" lists that mixed h.s/college and summer ball was missing Mike Dee, who has taking UIC baseball to a whole new level and has made that, in my mind, the place to go in Illinois. As far as coach Jones at U of I, it has been a while since they have won anything, and it looks like it will be a little while longer. Since the departure of aces Jayson Anderson (NY Yankees) Tim Lavery Drew Dickenson ( Florida Marlins) Illinois has lacked an ace...a legit friday night pitcher....Anderson and Dickenson were the best in the big ten and went head to head with everyone elses ace.. As far as Triton, Symonds had one hell of a run.. if you were to use the term dynasty,which is a little extreme, he had it. There were years threw the 90's where he draftees on the bench or redshirt. This year Harry Torgeson (Morton College/WIU) Took over in the middle of the fall, which would put any coach in a pinch. After losing 11 all conference players, triton will be lucky to stay above .500, but next year will be back on the map. A few draft and follows were added and will help, and there is a very talented group coming in next year.

I do not know much about him, but have heard great things, but what about Mike Pinto from oakton?

What about Augie Shmidt from Carthage? Dennis Martel from IWU

As far as summer coaches....From age 8 i was a big fan of Coach Doyle from triton and PG...my theory may be a little biast but I really think anyone can win with 15 of the top 25 players in the state, i think those that blend players from any level and have sucess, deserve just as much credit.

I think Augie Schmidt is a fine choice for local coaches, he has run a successful program for almost 20 years and seems to be a local pipeline for Illinois athletes. If I'm not mistaken, the majority of that roster is from Illinois and they are one of the better D-3 programs around.

I see two ESCC coaches listed and neither is the best coach in the conference. Chuck Gandolfi from Carmel should be mentioned before Jeff Bonebrake and Jared Voss. The guy has been to state 3 times. I am a little confused with the mention of Jeff Bonebrake. Great guy but what has he won?
Paul Groot from Schaumburg should be mentioned along with college coaches Wayne King from JJC and Mike Dooley from St. Xavier and former asst.Coach Harrison now at Br.Rice.
Coach Hall is a good coach just to bad he enjoys the spotlight more on himself than his team.

Just want to throw this out, I believe that sometimes we get caught up with wins when in fact, if some of these guys don't win, then that would be news. I'm not taking anything away from them. I believe that some of the "best coaches" in this state do a lot with very little year in and year out and still manage to win. They might not have state tournament success but what they achieve certainly doesn't pale in comparison with what these more successful people accomplishment.

For the combo of wins/works with player to provide guidance and future success in any field, I'll take OPRF's Ledbetter. He's young at heart with the savvy and vision of an oldtimer.

Coach25, A very well thought out post. You're living this on a daily basis and you are so correct in your assesment of what truly is success. I think you have indicated here before that some of your most treasured moments in coaching had nothing to do with wins and losses.

Coach,I certainly don't know you, but from reading your messages here, my son would be the fortunate one if he could play for you. Simply put, you get it!

Rosy is right on the money. A parent/player or Coach would do well to review his posts over a myriad of subjects. This is btw, one of the downsides to the recent re-organization of the message board. Many great posts were lost, never to be shared again. CoachB25 had a lot of them.

CoachB25,

I just wanted say that I agree with the last few posters. Your comments are right on the money. Just because a coach wins doesn't make them a good coach. Sometimes the best coaching jobs are teams that win more games than they should even if that means being 14-15 as opposed to 24-5. If that 14-15 really should have won 8 games and 24-5 team had the talent to win 28 who is the better coach? In 2002 our Glenbrook South team went 15-17,we had basically 1.5 pitchers on the team (a real good ace and catcher with a good arm, who would always get exhausted after 5 innings). I know our coach, Dave Lindley, got more wins out of that team than he should have had. Thankfully for us our hard work was rewarded with a regional upset of a top ten team, but even if it hadn't been it was a great coaching job because we always played hard and were in almost every game.

Jim Kating is the Sophomore coach at Bartlett High School. He has not had the opportunity to run his own program yet. But when he gets that chance, he will prove himself to be one of the best. He deserves recognition in this category.

I appreciate the kind words. Did you ever see Eddie and the Crusiers? "Hey, we're just some boys from Jersey!" Well, I'm just an old coach from Troy. I spent my youth in another program and then was thrown out like the dishwater. However, I ended up with a bunch of kids that believe, everyday, that they can get past the big boys and get to state. Three years in a row, we've won a regional but either Edwardsville or Belleville East have stopped us. Each time, they went on. I know what it's like to be at the top. I was there. I know what it's like to be at the bottom. I was there. Now, the climb is SO MUCH FUN! Today, we got after it again at 6:00. Today 24 guys showed up chasing that dream. I'll never make it to the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame. My body paid a price for another deserving Coach to make it there. Everyday, I coach with a bunch of colleagues such as I that dream big dreams, tell our kids to dream big and then go insearch. Tragically, six years in a row, we've been shot down while the traditional powers destroyed us in the Secionals. However, you know what, this morning, ...

Here's to all of those guys being told that they are too small, told that a winning record is alright, or told that as long as they beat that rival then they get to coach another year who instead say "heck with that, we're dreaming big!"

Coach, Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You ARE on top of the mountain every day you impart your wisdom to your players. Have a great season.

My vote is CoachB25 (and Ledbetter).

My picks to click in Chicagoland:

Mike Dee UIC: Could get over the hump this year and become the best DI program in the state.

Augie Carthage: powerhouse every year at the D3 level.

Bob Symonds Triton: Even though he has retired, he is the epitomy of what a great juco program is.

Bill Angelo Elgin: up and coming program.

Jim Fornaciari Glenbard West: paid his dues and now is showing his skills.

Jim Hall Lockport: teams always have great baseball minds.

Napoleon New Trier: great teacher of the game

Frank Ganser Andrew: does things the right way.

Chuck Gandolfi Carmel the success has shown. solid teams every year, never a drop off

Ledbetter OPRF: Obviously the talent is there, but it takes a good coach to help exhibit it.

I just want to toss in a few words on this subject. While I think it is worthwhile at some level to discuss this. I have my picks for top coaches as well, I can't hide that. I want to agree with CoachB25 that some very good coaches and more importantly very good teachers do not get the recognition they deserve because they do not have the same talent level as others. I feel it is important to keep in mind that it is very hard to judge a coach from seeing them coach once, or not at all. I feel like a lot of the lists posted are made up of coaches that we know or have seen several times. I’ll tell you what, I feel I know the coaches in my area pretty well. If you want I’ll post a honest list about who I think can coach (I did this last year). In other areas however I just know who the top teams are. I ask you however my friends does that mean those are the best coaches? Consider this honestly, I know no matter how much talent a team has players still need direction, but if a team has more than one D1 pitcher they will win 20-25 games. So in conclusion I say to all those coaches and players who are giving it their best efforts with less talent and not getting any recognition this is a vote for you. I may not know exactly who you are, but maybe this year you’ll win some games and people will take notice.

I think some of you guys are getting way too soft. Coaching success is measured in wins and most importantly post season success. That does not mean you compromise a players health or your integrity but you coach to win championships. Sure good experiences and good times come out of the season but nothing is better than preparing all year and making your run in the playoffs. Actually who even cares about your record everyone makes the playoffs anyway. If your at a winning program there is pressure to maintain expectations, deal with bigger egos, and without a doubt you better win. Non established programs have far less pressure involved. Either build it or leave. The underdog role isn't always a bad thing. Funny things happen in a single elimination tournament, turn your dreams into reality. If I coached in the south my entire season would revolve around beating Edwardsville in the Playoffs. Screw the season prepare for and build toward post season success.
I think all coaches deserve credit based on the time that goes into a season and especially if their in it for their players not themseles. Regardless the best coaches are recognized on their post season success. The only exception is the Chicago Catholic schools that fight through those difficult public league schools(if they show up) to rack up their regional championships

Peter, sounds like you have a great view on the situation. Might I ask where you coach, what your career record is, how many state titles you have won, and how many kids you sent on to play in college or the pros?

I doubt you're a coach so let me just offer my two cents. If you are in it for the wins, please get out of the profession. My job as a coach is to help my players get to the next level. If I win along the way, great. There have been plenty of coaches that did not win a thing, but yet had players go on to play in college. That is just one aspect of what success is in my mind.

Most of the coaches on this board have more experience than me, so I would be interested to hear their take on your theory.

I started a reply and then I deleted it. I've been to the big house and won 2 times. I'm now at a small Class AA school. Hey, "being soft" well, we win. Personally, I wasn't looking for sympathy. We'll take the big guys on again and I expect to win. We play E'vil and a couple of others incuding Tinley Park Andrew. Coach Ganser can speak for us. HOWEVER, SOME OF THE BEST COACHES I'VE EVER SEEN DO A LOT WITH NOTHING. I ADMIRE THEM. THEY WILL NEVER GET RECOGNIZED EXCEPT FROM THAT KID THAT REALIZES WHO HAD THE MOST IMPACT UPONT THIER LIVES OTHER THAN THEIR PARENTS. I just wanted to point that out. I stated, or alluded to, I'm not great or "the best." However, if you want to play us, you'd better bring a lunch. Sorry guys for the testosterone attack!


I would like to add that I admire so many of the guys who's names are listed on this topic. Great guys that influence young men in a positive manner each and every day.

Whoa, testosterone is right, settle down chief.

Let's bring this one back down to what it started at:

Best Coaches in the State

Now sure, good coaches, great coaches have the ability to better their players and bring the most out of the lesser talent. . . However,

We weren't talking about good coaches, or great coaches, but the BEST Coaches, and I'm sorry, but you gotta win to be listed in this catagory.

It really is a two part deal, to be the best you gotta A: get the most out of your guys, whatever you're dealt with, and B: You gotta win, and you gotta do it when it counts.

And come on, the whole "we'll play you boys anyday ..." routine is really bush league. I don't think anyone was being called out in any of the previous posts (ie peter north), He was stating a rational point, absent of emotion, a mere suggestion-don't call out someone's credibility.

Another point: Players get themselves to the next level, not the coaches. Surely certain athletes develop skills w/in their program, but ULTIMATELY it's their own talent that gets them into the collegiate levels.

About the "Best!" I drink out of a glass eveynight that says "State Champs." I get to pick which mug I use. I don't agree that it comes down to who wins state. That's my opinion. I've seen both sides. Have you? Some of the "BEST" coaches I know will never make it there. "Best" is relative. I'll define it my way. When you start coaching, I bet you have a change of heart!

Sounds like I got that fire burning in your belly pretty good.
Were better off agreeing to disagree. Listen, I enjoy reading and offering my humble opinion on these boards. I'd rather leave my accomplishments and where I coach to myself. My opinions won't always be the most popular and my thoughts on many issues are probaly within the minority. Personally I'm not here to measure johnsons anyway, but when it comes to high school baseball in Illinois, I know my share.

My final thoughts on our topic. A good coach is a positive role model, carries himself with no ego, a student of the game, a leader unwilling to compromise team expectations for wins, is a teacher, and looks after his athletes in season and out as a counselor, parent, friend, or recruiter. Coaches need these values to win.

But the best coaches take these values and win championships. Whether that be regional, sectional, super sectional, state qualifying, or the big one. Against worthwhile competition. My players can't tell how many wins or losses they had their senior year but they know who they beat or bowed out to in the state playoffs. Every year we set our expectations qualifying for and winning state. Anything less is thought of as failing. It doesn't take anything away from the good times the season brought and my wonderful experience with my players. It may sound harsh to some people but it is not an easy sport. You cant be afraid to fail in life or this great game. Adversity and difficulty build character, it makes you stronger. If I thought anything less I'd be coaching s****r. Trust me, when we succeed all the credit goes to the players and the burden of a loss is on my shoulders.

So coach, grab that state mug and cheers to you. You got my vote for assistant coach of the 90's but I guess thats a whole new thread.

No hard feelings, good luck this season to everyone

The fire is def. burning on this one

The first think id like to say is that yeah winning is important, and for the public and administration, who most of the time dont know much, thats how they measure if your a good coach or not. People close to the game know there is so much more to it...I heard one coach mention getting over 100 grand or something in upgrades...thats sucess...winning...yeah thats sucess to...having players move on, thats sucess....but I think most importantly, because lets be honest only a small number move on, the most important thing is to prepare your kids for the next level in life. Baseball teaches you charecteristics, like all sports, that can make you sucessfull in life...Because the number of people who could actually play for a living is so small, I think thats the most important think. I know in our program, for every kid that was able to get paid to play such a great game, there are 10 that are Traders, Bankers, Teachers and so on...and we are just as proud of them as we are the other kids. Is that getting away from baseball? yes and no

The one thing i disagree with coaches saying "they sent" kids to the next level. Yeah for the most part maybe they did help them, but lets not take away from the hard work the kids have put in probably from age 6 to get to that level. Varsity coaches are the ones that put the finishing touches on the highly skilled, and make those average players even better....But it all comes down to the time th kid has put in over the years

Peter - Agreed! If you don't mind me asking, what is the #1 program in the state?

Indians - Agreed!

BTW, I don't and never have claimed to be "the best" at anything. Heck, I'm not even close. Maybe a long-distance phone call away!!!

CoachB25, you have a PM.

CoachB25,

I only wish that my son (or myself, many years ago)would have had an opportunity to play for you. You seem like an awsome guy who really cares for his players. Keep up the good work.

#1 program in the state is a tough question. I'll rank my top 16 in the last 30 years.

#1 Edwardsville
#1 Oak Park
tough, tough, call, this would be a great topic if there were more southern posters. I'll have to give the slight edge to Oak Park because I was never a big fan of Coach Pile wearing those batting gloves coachig third.

#3 Driscoll (most dominant Class A school)

#4 Joliet Catholic (4 state title games since '88)

#5 New Trier (Coach Napoleon HOF)

#6 Lyons (Best program last 5 years)

#7 Andrew (Coach Ganser and dominant in 90's)

#8 Carmel

#9 Sandburg

#10 Lockport

#11 St. Charles (powerhouse on rise since late 90's)

#12 Schaumburg

#13 Barrington

#14 Providence (Coach Rodeghero HOF)

#15 Harrisburg

#16 Belleville (not sure which one is the good one)

Fastest fall from glory: Thornwood (the days of Mark Mulders and Cliff Floyds have past)

Peter North, Nice List! You'd be surprised how often comments are made about those batting gloves. In fact, no one noticed that I also wore them at first. The reasoning for this is somewhat complex but to simplify, we used these gloves for signaling purposes. Coach Pile had the standard answer of "I hurt my hands one day clapping for my team and so I put on the gloves." Great for the Press but the reality was that we had a couple of kids miss some key signals and so. Note, I'm not talking about "signs" from 3rd for the batter.

Coach Kaiser did such an outstanding job. I do think that one of his main strengths was that he had four or five assistants that were qualified to be head coaches for most of the teams in this state. I might move Harrisburg up some since I'm from the south and realize how long that they have been good. For example, Harrisburg defeated our 88 team and went on to win state in Class AA. Barrington is a tough one because they have done so well over a long period of time as well. All in all, Real nice list!

Thanks coach. Not an easy task, especially #1. I was totally kidding about the batting gloves.

Who were Jack Kaisers assistants?

To be honest the only school south that I am completely familiar with is E' ville . What about Chatam ? Should they be up there?

Chatham is an OUTSTANDING PROGRAM! Coach Moomey really knows his stuff! They are always going to be in the thick of things. Also, with their new high school, they will have some fantastic facilities. Mattoon coached by Coach Jackley is also one of the givens when it comes to outstanding baseball in the southern portion of the state. Coach Issacs at Althoff, Coach Blomberg at Belleville East, Coach Funkhauser at Edwardsville (I coached him in high school.), and Coach Blumberg at Freeburg also do outstanding jobs. South of us, Coach Keener (Yes, he was a former St. Louis Cardinal) at Murphsboro and Coach Butler at Marion traditionally produce top teams.

Don't want to burst the Jack Kaiser bubble but he did not have strong coaches, he had yes men.
And the feeder progams in Oak Park are why the school has so much talent. The Bronco and Pony leagues are two of the best in the Nation! Oak Park has such a great Youth League Program, that they have not lost many kids to Travel Teams. So that makes the kids playing at Oak Park, have been together since they were 10 years old. Coach Ledbetter helps his player's more than any coach Oak Park has ever had!

Huskie...The man is dead and you go after him!

Gees.

Trout was Kaiser's assistant for 25-30 years. Jack was a terrific baseball guy because most kids enjoyed playing for him. Yes, Jack had talent and I would agree that the OPRF (especially the OP Pony program) youth programs produce quality players.

I'm just sorry that my son went down for the State championship tournament in Springfield in 1990, when he was their leadoff hitter; leading hitter; shortstop; and, closer.

Hospitalized with food poisoning after eating something at the restaurant the night before their first Friday game.

While they finished 3rd, I think they were the only team that could have given the ultimate champions a run for the title.

Chris is a good man and great for the program.

What, however, has happened to football at OPRF? Have they lost their feeder teams? The ones that played in that traveling conference on Sundays?

I've had several conversations with Coach Kaiser and his staff due to the numerous times we played. Call them "yes men" or what you like, they were loyal and worked hard implimenting his system. Guess I was a "yes man" as well as an assistant. I served my time with loyalty to the Head Coach. Huskie Power, I don't know your beef with the coaching staff. However, you make a great point. I truly don't believe any program is successful without outstanding people in the community working with those young men at an early age and throughout their playing careers. We agree on that! Good luck to the program this year.

Huskie Power, the feeder programs in OP are a far cry from what they once were. Any player that considers his quest to be the best he can be, would be foolish to choose OP pony over the plethora of outstanding travel teams that are available.

Your comment "they have not lost many kids to travel teams" is indicative of the antiquated pony mentality still rampant in our OP/RF villages. Simply put, good players need to play at the highest level possible. In today's world, that is no longer pony baseball.