Yanule takes over at Hoffman Estates
Luke Yanule isn’t concerned about getting comfortable with his new surroundings.
That’s not the way the new Hoffman Estates boys basketball coach operates.
“I love the people and the school,” Yanule said of his current job as a social studies teacher, dean and coach at Schaumburg. “But I have a dream and vision to be a head coach and I’m happy it’s Hoffman.
“I don’t like comfortable or our teams being comfortable, and I don’t want other teams to be comfortable.”
That wasn’t part of the plan for Hoffman under Bill Wandro, who retired after 20 seasons with a record of 337-226, two Elite Eight trips, two Mid-Suburban League titles and eight regional titles. District 211 officially announced Yanule’s hiring to replace Wandro on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s truly and sincerely an honor and a privilege to take over a program with the pedigree of Hoffman Estates,” Yanule said. “It’s incredible to think about the legacy (under Wandro) and it’s an honor to take that legacy over.”
Yanule played on Notre Dame’s Class AA Elite Eight qualifier in 1997 and after graduation he started helping Denny Zelasko as an assistant coach. Yanule came to Schaumburg in 2007.
“Luke Yanule is an exceptional educator who will inspire youth both in the classroom and on the basketball court,” said Hoffman Estates principal Jim Britton said in a release from District 211. “His energy and positive focus are contagious. I am pleased he will be joining HEHS because he will continue the tradition of excellence in our basketball program.”
Yanule believes working with people such as Zelasko, former Schaumburg and current Niles West coach Bob Williams, former Maine West head coach and current Schaumburg assistant Jim Sullivan and current Schaumburg head coach Matt Walsh prepared him well for his new challenge.
In his first year at Schaumburg in 2007-08, Yanule had to fill in as a head coach in a victory over Rock Island and then-freshman Chasson Randle. The Stanford-bound Randle led the Rocks to the 3A state title in March.
“Coach Yanule is a great fit for us,” said Hoffman athletic director Steve Lacni. “Luke is a student-centered educator in both the classroom and in the athletic arena.
“He has studied basketball under some of the state’s most renowned basketball coaches, so we’re not only excited about the experiences of state-championship caliber teams that he brings to HEHS, but equally important is the enthusiasm he’ll bring to the program every day.”
Others who helped forge Yanule’s passion for coaching and teaching include his family, Notre Dame football coach and athletic director Mike Hennessey and former Notre Dame assistant Jon Cohn. Working in the Chicago Park District as a teenager for Bob Cole also had a big impression on Yanule’s career path.
“When I was 16-17, I wanted to have an impact on kids and that’s part of the reason for where I’m at,” Yanule said. “In 13-14 years of doing this I’ve had it (an impact) and I can’t wait to have it as a head coach.
“The game has given so much to me and that’s why I’m really excited to be the head coach at Hoffman with the tradition they have.”