Men's basketball: Stochl steps in as Harper's coach

Harper College athletic director Doug Spiwak has announced Sean Stochl as the school's men's basketball coach. He succeeds Justin Welke, who resigned last week.

Stochl was most recently an assistant boys basketball coach at Johnsburg High School, helping the Skyhawks to a 14-11 record last winter. But he also had close ties to Harper on a couple of levels.

"It's all happened so quick," Spiwak said of the hiring. "Sometimes things come together. You want to be able to assure your recruits (who have already signed letters of intent)."

Stochl had already been serving as an assistant to interim Harper softball coach Scott Plaza this spring. Previously, Stochl also was a graduate assistant coach in the Rockford College football program in 2013, working with receivers and tight ends.

A Marian Central Catholic graduate, Stochl played both football and basketball in high school before doing likewise as a competitor in both sports at Harper.

One advantage is that Stochl will be on campus full-time, as he has been an instructor in Harper's Kinesiology, Health and Wellness Department since 2012.

"He loves Harper," Spiwak said of his new head coach.

Stochl's strategy for the program is simple: Attract in-district players, such as those in the Mid-Suburban League along with St. Viator and Christian Liberty Academy. And provide a positive experience for them.

When he heard about Harper's coaching vacancy, Stochl said all he could think about was "what a good opportunity to help the student-athletes with the same opportunity I got."

Though next season's roster is far from complete, Stochl is eagerly anticipating building toward the 2016-17 season.

"I'm excited," he said. "I want to see what our core ends up being."