Redwings' Gaughan decides it's time for a change
Timing is everything.
It meant a life-changing decision for Marty Gaughan.
"This was my 25th year coaching basketball, and it was also my last year coaching my son," he said. "I thought maybe that was a little bit more than just coincidence."
With that the face of Benet boys basketball for nearly 20 years will be changing. After informing school officials and his players Monday, Gaughan on Tuesday announced his resignation as the Redwings' coach.
"You always knew you'd have a quality program with Marty," said Benet athletic director Gary Goforth. "You get spoiled when you have a quality coach for so long."
Gaughan coached lower-level basketball for five years at Notre Dame High School before coming to Benet in 1988. After a year as an assistant coach, Gaughan became the head coach in 1989.
In his 19th season at the helm this winter, the Redwings went 14-12 and nearly upset top-seeded Batavia in the Class 4A Bartlett regional semifinals. Gaughan ends his tenure at Benet with a career 251-242 record after winning four regional championships.
"The part of the job I loved the most were the practices and working with the kids," said Gaughan, who will continue to teach and serve as an assistant athletic director at Benet. "It's been very satisfying for me."
Gaughan had the added satisfaction of coaching his son, Brian, the last three seasons. But with Brian graduating and preparing to continue playing at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, Gaughan wanted to be able to see Brian compete at the next level.
In addition to watching his son play at Loras, Gaughan will keep his hand in teaching basketball to local players. He said he'll work with the Illinois Basketball Academy, the Illinois Wolves and he'll conduct individual coaching sessions with players.
And he'll still spend a good amount of time in Benet's gym next season watching his daughter, Natalie, participate in cheerleading during her senior year.
"There are definitely things I'll miss, but it's something I've thought about for a while," Gaughan said. "It should be good for me."
Goforth said he'd like the interview and hiring process to move quickly. He's hoping to finish interviews by the end of April and have a new coach in place by the end of the school year.
"Marty's got everything set up for this summer with camps and everything, so the new coach will be able to hit the ground running," Goforth said. "It'll be an interesting process to find someone who blends with the school, the players and the parents."