Guyett not returning as Burlington Central coach

Darlene Guyett has decided not to return as Burlington Central's girls basketball coach next season.

Guyett, who took a one year's leave of absence for family reasons, informed Central athletic director Dan Cliffe late Tuesday that she had decided not to return.

"She has a family and she had to make a choice," Cliffe told the Daily Herald Wednesday night. "It was real hard for her. She really cares about the kids. But the other side of the coin is her own family."

Guyett, who teaches physical education and wellness at the school, and her husband Tom, who live in St. Charles, have a 5-year old son, Tom Jr., in addition to 11-month old Jack.

"It was a very difficult decision for her," Cliffe said. "I told her that the door isn't closed. Down the road if she wants to get back into coaching and we have an opening, we'd love to have her back."

Guyett coached the Rockets four seasons and was 58-54. Her 2006-07 team won the Big Northern East championship and set a school record for wins going 23-6.

"I have no regrets but it was a really tough decision," said Guyett late Wednesday night. "Central is a great place to be. There's nothing but great support from the administration, the staff, the players and the parents. I had some great assistants and some great players and I'm a better person having coached at Central. But I have a family now and to be fair to the players and my family I had to make a decision."

The Rockets were coached this season by Wade Maisto, a hall of fame softball coach who came back for just the one season. BC was 16-12 and reached the regional championship game under Maisto, who was also 48-26 as the Rockets' coach from 1986-88.

"I was under the impression it was one year and I was happy with that opportunity," Maisto said Wednesday night. "I was 100 percent certain Darlene was coming back and I haven't even considered doing this again."

Maisto's daughter Jordan, the Rockets' starting point guard, will be a senior next year.

Cliffe said the position will be posted in the next few days.

"Wade thought it was a one-year thing and he stepped in and did what we needed done," Cliffe said. "But I also have to look at the overall stability of the program. We'll open it up and go from there."