Best Coaches In the State

Fastball,

The student population represents the top 5% to 7% or better of the total Illinois student body by my best guess. (Based on when when son took the entrance examine - he was admitted but chose DGS)Proximity to Naperville, Downers Grove and Hinsdale or other larger suburbs probably hurt the school in the long run because those school districts perform academicly so well. Unlike, other private schools, Benet does not have the same liberal enrollment policies favored by other athletic powerhouse private high schools. What athletic level would those school perform at if the could not give top athletes a free admission pass. I think it reflects even stronger on the program Bonebreak is/has developed.

Fastball Dad,

By the way, I caught once upon a time and I like
Florida. What do you think????

If you want to catch some 58 foot curve balls, come on down!

Pardon my spelling.Some of the best in my mind.
1.Bonbrake, Benet
2.Rodeghero,Providence
3.Gancer, Andrew
4.Hall, Lockport
5.Fornaciri, Gbw
6.Ledbetter,OakPark
7.Bello, Fremd
8.Napoleon,New Trier

Belo is at Palatine High School

talent, according to your list with Fornarciri now at Benet, PBR is right on the money with Benet #1....

MIKE ZUNICA

Fungo Master,

Not only Fornarciri but Jim Iwanski who is also
a great baseball guy.

quote:

Originally posted by Bulldog 19:
Coaches that I know of that I feel are good coaches:
(no particular order)

CoachB who is from TRIAD (may give me away, but I know him better than most from Waterloo do)

Mark Vogel from Waterloo. He really knows his stuff and I have learned a lot from him over the last 10+ years I've been in his dugout.

Edwardsville's coach, sorry don't know him by name.

Lon Fulte- spent many years at Waterloo before going to Quincy, IL. He has since moved back to Waterloo in retirement and is going to be working with the catchers in our program this year.

CoachB, one of these days we may meet you in a sectional, if we can ever get past E'ville in the Regionals. Before last year, I believe the Bulldogs went like 7 years in a row getting into the Regional Championship but getting beat by the Tigers. Two years ago, my freshman year, we had them reeling in the Championship game; I believe took them into extra innings or into the 6th or 7th inning late.

Bulldog 19, thanks for the mention. We aren't in the class of some of the guys listed but we work real hard to be someday. Coach Vogel is pure class and I consider him a very good friend as I do certain members of his staff. He has done such a good job for such a long time. You mentioned Coach Fulte. I understand that he might be helping down there as well. You are very lucky! He has been legendary in these parts of the woods. Coach Funkhauser at Edwardsville and Coach Portz at O'Fallon are two of the best young coaches in the state. I say young but I believe that the are starting to catch up with me. Coach Blumberg at Freeburg has over 400 wins and a State Championship to his credit. Coach Hutchinson at Greenville will get his 300th win this season. Impressive! I can't omit from this topic Coach Hawkins from Highland. Coach Hawkins will also get his 300th win this year.

I have the pleasure each year of Coaching against Coach Ganser from Tinley Park Andrew. What a classy Gentleman. He has always taken the time to talk to me and we've even eaten a breakfast together. I look forward to coaching against him each year. Coach Haake at Lincoln is also a quality coach and I like to take some credit since he served on a staff I once worked on.

The Thompsons at Harrisburg are top notch. I've driven down there just to talk some baseball with Coach Jay Thompson. He never disappoints.

Coach Moomey at Chatham Glenwood has over 500 wins. Take a look at his record sometime. We put them on our schedule this year.

We are very lucky that we can cite so many coaches that we believe are outstanding.

CoachB25 ranks right up there. Judging from his knowledgeable posts, consideration for his players, and his obvious good character, I'd LOVE for him to coach any of my children.

Oh, by the way, his record is not bad, either!

Play Baseball, Thanks! I have great kids and great assistant coaches. That allows me to act like I'm in charge! They do all the work! February 27th is coming up fast. I just can't wait to hear the sound of the ball off of the bat and to be around those guys. We are very strict around here and I don't get to be around them in a setting with a baseball. That changes in just a few days. Of course, it will snow and we will have a craft fair that first weekend. SOOOOO, we go outside! Always have and always will. The kids now love it.

BTW, another excellent coach that I've had the pleasure on knowing and coaching against is Matt Kottmeyer at Centralia. He was such an outstanding player and now he gets to coach. I always see in him that excitement of the game that I hope others see in me.

As a young high school coach, you want to model your program after some of the longtime sucessful coaches that you have played for or coached against.My high school coach Andy Scianna from Oak Forest has had a big influence on the way I approach coaching. He demanded respect and got the most out of his players. He has big influence in my life, and he goes out of the way to help his players. The work ethic he brought out in his players was far better than any coach I seen. He would keep us at the school to 3 AM at times, and we (the players) enjoyed it. There are also other coaches out there that need their props. Recently retired John Dunlop of Thornwood was probably the best high school coach I coached against. The last few years Thornwood was not the same Thornwood you saw in the early to mid 1990's. The demographics have changed dramatically at Thornwood in the last 10 years and less students were going out for baseball,opting to go out for track instead. However, Coach Dunlop made the most of his talent and he still managed to win 17-20 games a year, and just missed out on the conference title last year. The next best coach I coached against is Jim Hall of Lockport. Sure he is rich in talent, however his work ethic, his organization, and the fire he brings to the field goes a long way. He also smart enough to surround himself with great assistants. Lockport hands down has the best assistant coaching staff in the state. The one thing in common with all three of these coaches is they all have a state championship trophy and multiple streaks of conference flags. There alot alot of great coaches across this state. Every coach is unique, however the main thing all good coaches have is organization,discipline, and enthusiasm. Those are the things that make a great coach.

As far as class A coaches go, Eric Regez of Herscher gets the most out of his talent

Have to agree, Coach Regez is awesome and a class act.

I was happy to see Coach J's name mentioned early on with this topic of Best Coaches in the State. Gary Johnson is a baseball ambassador. His genetics go all the way back to Walter Johnson. If you listen to the tapes where the old, old players talk they speak of Walter Johnson and how he set the bar as far as pitching standards are concerned. His ball just picked up that little extra and exploded into the catchers mitt. If you ever had the opportunity to see a ball gain velocity just before home plate; it's a thing of beauty! Coach Johnson is the pitching coach at Oak Forest this year and I expect our, staff to gain, not only knowledge on the mound but a presence. He definitely will help. I've read some great commonts regarding coaching and everyone of them is legitimate. I really disliked this coach growing up because back then it was more Public versus Private. The coach I've grown to admire and respect is Gordie Gillespie. Listening to one of the clincs he spoke at is amazing. As one person put it; baseball is in his soul. He has the ability to get you to the next level.

Sulltiger24... I agree 100%, Ed's quite a guy.

quote:

Originally posted by sulltiger24:
Eddie Toledo at Evanston Township . Give him some time , but he will get that program headed in the right direction . A proven winner who is also excellent at teaching the game . Evanston will be winning a lot more from here on out .

even though retired bill anderson of thorton fractional south was a hall of fame coach. also gordie gillespie is back at st. francis how could he not make the list?

there is no way that gordie gillespie is not a top ten coach in illinois... or the best coach ever in illinois

Coaches I knew from the past that had a great impression on me and my style of play.

Coach Fabrizio (now AD at Stagg) Great motivator
Coach Schwartz (retired AD at Marist) worked both baseball and basketball
Coach Pietrak Had great talent in the 70's and 80's At that time it was always Loyola, Br. Rice and Rita in the Catholic league.

Played against Gordie Gillespie's teams in the summer leagues and if he liked you he would always come up to you and say nice things.

im not sure where i could find gordie's long list of accomplishment's but if anyone could find it and post it .... alot of people would be impressed

here ya go... http://www.stfrancis.edu/ath/baseball/staff.htm

another link to show more accomplishments.. http://www.cityofjoliet.com/halloffame/athletes/gordiegillespie.htm ........ if anyone can find someone better let me know expecially in the illinois area

Coach Gillespie is not only the best coach in the state, he is the best in the Nation!

Wow!!!! I would never disagree with your
opinion.

Coach Gillespie ranks right up there on the my best coaches list too. He could have coached at whatever level he wanted to. What a positive influence and a great great baseball man. It only takes about 2 seconds of being around him or listening to him speak, to realize you are with a legend. Players who have been lucky enough to play for him, count your blessings. Great coach and better person.

I play for Gordie now and there is no doubt in my mind that he is the best coach in Illinois. Its amazing how everyone on the team looks up to him and repects him. I am so glad that i have the opportunity to play for him and would not play for any other coach in the country than Gordie.

Nick McGurk from Streator Township is young but is building on an allready sucessfull program. They have won 100 games in last 4 years and has 6 starters back, as well as their best pitcher from a team that won 29 games last year.

pm shs

My Kudos to Coach Gillespie also. I had the opportunity to play against his teams years ago and his teams were always ready to play and gave 200%. Today my son has the opportunity to play for him and the I know the players are giving him that same effort and cant wait for practice or the games to start. He's simply an amazing coach and motivator! Just being around Gordie and talking to him get's you excited about baseball.

Mike Zunica from St. Rita will end up being on the greatest if not the greatest high school baseball coach in the state of illinois

"The Greatest"......no such thing. We have had several coaches mentioned and talked about and I'm sure they are all fine coaches, but no one is "The Greatest."

Lets not forget about the assistants. Head coaches get the press and the wins, but there are some **** fine assistant coaches out there. Marsicano from Maine South is a tremendous motivator and invaluable to their pitching staff. They always produce top pitchers. Saviano from Niles North is another great coach that flies under the radar, but really helps that team alot.

There are some very fine coaches in the Metro-East area - that I know - but I think we have 3 really good ones in the Mississppi Valley alone. I know I am prejudiced but I think Daryl Butler at Triad, Joel Hawkins at Highland and Mark Vogel at Waterloo are really good. My son plays for Vogel and he gets a lot out of his kids. I would love him to be able to play for Joel or Daryl

In my opinion, the three best teachers of the game of youth baseball are:

1. Dave Payton (Sparks) there is no one better
2. Sam Sorce (Prairie Gravel)
3. Rich Forkin (Ultimate Sports Academy)

If these three guys ever decided to run a team together, look out!!!!

Put Pete Nazos on the list too.

As a parent you will recognized that your son is playing for a "good coach". He is a coach who will bring out the best in his players as an individual and as a teammate. He is a coach who teaches winning comes from preperation. He is a coach that builds character. The best coaches command authority. The best coaches teach personal responsibilty instead of blaming others, The best coaches focus on giving your best,demanding unselfishness, and they demand team loyalty. The best coaches demand their players live by this code.

There are many "great" coaches in baseball at all levels. Let them know you appreciate that they have coached your son extremely well.

Rich Forkin from the Homer Heat?

Observer, NOW THAT'S A GREAT POST!

Let me see, as the ND fan I am, I can't digest how Bob Kostuch is not even mentioned. His record in 3 years time compares to few in the area: State Championship, another Sectional title, 3 regional titles, ESCC conference title last year and probably should have won conference the year they won state (only 3rd in Conference-go figure), and 30 wins the last 2 years. I know he doesn't have a track record yet but half the people most likely mentioned did not win a state title.

jared voss at joliet catholic has done an excellent job with his time there.... have won numerous regional titles and numerous sectional titles not to mention two second place finishes in state tournaments i think this will be his 7th year coaching at the hill

Observer, that was a great and very true post. There's alot of very good coaches out there. Gus 21, I respect your opinion but I disagree with you in regards to some of your post. Coaches that put so much time into the season should be recognized and very much appreciated. I couldn't have said it or written it any better than Observer just did. Sam Sorce does a very good job with the 18u Prairie teams. My hat goes off to him and all the coaches that have accomplished success for their teams and players throughout the years. Players win games but many coaches lose games. Coaching is a big part of a teams winning ways.