Classy Dineen exits in style
NORMAL -- Just call him Dapper Dineen. And most definitely call him emotional.
Clad, with his assistant coaches, in a pristine black suit (a new one and not the same one he wore when his team won the 2000 state title), Buffalo Grove girls basketball coach Tom Dineen closed out one of the most successful coaching careers in Illinois history here Saturday night at Redbird Arena.
It certainly wasn't the game Dineen and his Bison wanted to finish with -- BG took home a third-place trophy with a 66-50 win over Marist instead of the first-place prize -- but after the bitter disappointment of losing to Whitney Young in Friday's Class 4A semifinals, Saturday's win allowed Dineen to finish in style nonetheless.
"I'm officially unemployed," Dineen said to a roar of laughter from the media in the postgame press conference, a statement that caused tears to begin flowing even among several writers who have covered Dineen's teams for many years.
Then the mood turned as emotional as you'll ever see in high school sports.
After 29 years, 677 wins (third most in IHSA girls basketball history), nine trips to the state tournament and the 2000 Class AA championship, Dineen is retiring as a teacher and will not return to coach next year either -- although he's made it clear he'd like to.
After a long and tearful time alone outside the locker room tunnel, Dineen led the media horde to the news conference.
"It hit me walking off (the floor)," Dineen said, followed by another long and tearful pause from not only him but the six seniors he brought with him to the news conference. "It's a pretty fitting way to end it, with these six seniors who have taken this program to great levels.
"These kids are like my daughters and we got to finish the season with a win."
Dineen wasn't sure after Friday's loss how he or his team would react emotionally to playing Saturday's game. Their goal was a state championship and they came up 1 win short.
"We didn't make it real hard," he said. "We didn't talk about Marist at all. We just said 'let's go play and have a lot of fun doing it.' They went out they way they came in. Very impressive."
Dineen's six seniors -- Allison Mocchi, Maggie Mocchi, Ellen Ayoub, Katie Lee, Allison Heissel and Lauren Angotti -- were all emotional as well.
"I knew we'd be upset, but not this upset," said Allison Mocchi through her tears. "I thought it would be easier after winning. Mr. Dineen has been a great coach and father to us and I just love all these girls."
Allison's twin, Maggie, echoed her sister.
"It's been awesome," said Maggie Mocchi of playing for Dineen. "He's a great coach and he taught me a lot as a player and a person. I could never thank him enough for what he's done for all of us on and off the court. We owe him a lot for everything he's done for all of us."
Heissel, who played a reserve role for the Bison this season, also broke down in tears.
"It's just sad," she said. "I'll never play for a better coach. It's been the most rewarding experience I've ever had."