Pugliese the latest to join the Sutton coaching tree

It honors a coach when former players and assistants make their own way in the world. Neuqua Valley boys basketball coach Todd Sutton has become prolific at spinning coaches out.

Former Wildcats guard John Pugliese, Class of '02, is the first of Sutton's former players to earn a head coaching spot. Pugliese is in his first season as boys varsity coach and associate athletic director at the Brentwood School, a private school in Los Angeles.

"I kind of felt like I was Coach Sutton getting my foot in the door at Neuqua," said Pugliese, regarded so highly by Sutton that Pugliese's high school number, 24, is awarded to the Wildcats starting point guard.

"I was hiring new people, trying to get the kids to commit, and (teaching) that commitment breeds excellence," said Pugliese, drawn to Brentwood School after serving as an assistant to Wagner College coach Mike Deane. "It was the same thing Coach (Sutton) went through, and I learned so much from him. I wanted to give back."

Sutton has also sent former players Pat Brusveen (Metea Valley), Chad Cartner (Neuqua) and Matt Newquist (junior high) into the coaching ranks, while former assistants Mark LaScala (Lisle), Bob Vozza (Metea Valley) and Scott Tanaka (Minooka) lead their own programs. Mike O'Toole is in his second term as Sutton's aide; in between he was Joliet Catholic's head coach.

"I'm just a proud papa," said Sutton, who one day may be joined on the sideline by actual sons Drew and Tyler. "I live for their success."

At the Brentwood School, Pugliese has found it.

Last season the Eagles were 5-20. They hadn't finished above .500 since 2005. Pugliese, 25, was the program's sixth coach in seven seasons.

After an 0-3 start "Pugs" directed Brentwood to eight straight wins and took an 11-5 record into Wednesday against Sierra Canyon High. His father, Frank, saw his first head coaching win, Dec. 4 over Torrance. On Jan. 8 Brentwood beat rival Crossroads, alma mater of NBA players Baron Davis and Austin Croshere, for the first time in five years. Pugliese coaches man-to-man defense and borrows offense from Sutton and Deane.

Pugliese says he feels no great pressure despite the children of the rich and famous enrolled at this tony kindergarten-through-12th grade institution. Pugliese is obliged not to name names, but if he did some would be household names. Even in his postgame write-ups he identifies players as, say, "Joshua D" and "Mack F."

"It's a private high school, so it's different from the public background, but it's all just high school kids and high school athletics," Pugliese said. "They want to win just like everyone else does and they want to put out a good program just like everyone else does."

He loves the West L.A. reality of Christmas Day spent poolside and has adjusted to the "seat of the pants" lifestyle, though it doesn't quite jibe with his energetic and emotional coaching style. He's set to wed fiancee Billy Hoelck, a San Diego girl he met at Wagner, this August.

Sounds like Pugliese could, actually, be the toast of Brentwood.

"I wouldn't say that," Pugliese said. "Our football team is extremely successful. Our girls volleyball team has two state championships. So I've got a lot to do, but I'm really enjoying it. I'm trying to build a program just like Coach Sutton."

Last 'Opportunity'

It's last call for tickets to Neuqua Valley baseball coach Robin Renner's gala 13th annual "Opportunity Through Baseball" banquet and silent auction. The event will be held Sunday at the Roundhouse in Aurora.

Renner has lined up highly motivational ex-big-league hurler Dave Dravecky and legendary coach Gordie Gillespie, a member of 15 halls of fame, as speakers. Renner always gathers great auction items, and much of the proceeds go to help disadvantaged Aurora kids. Call Renner at (630) 428-6000, ext. 4864.

He proved him right

Matt Rahn didn't play much football at Wheaton North but is making up for that.

Without detail Rahn said a "bad experience" as a sophomore turned him away as a junior. Behind the rest, as a 225-pound senior in 1999 he mainly played junior varsity on the defense line.

After the season the Falcons head coach at the time, Matt Foster, told Rahn his best football was ahead of him.

Foster was right. Rahn has erupted into a 6-foot-4, 310-pound offensive lineman end who on Dec. 18 signed with the Sioux City Bandits of the Indoor Football League. Since coming out of NAIA Hastings (Neb.) College the 28-year-old Rahn has played with the Milwaukee Bonecrushers, the Chicago Slaughter and, last year, the Rock River Raptors in the Continental Indoor Football League.

"My goal is to get to the highest level as I can," Rahn said, angling for an Arena 1 spot next season.

He'll move to Sioux City from Wheaton on Feb. 9 for training camp, which begins two days later. The Bandits' first game is Feb. 27 in Ft. Collins, Colo.

The pay is only about $300 per game, but it goes right into his pocket because most expenses are paid. Pay isn't as important as opportunity at this point.

"I love it," Rahn said. "I guess each of the last two years I've proved myself a little more each year. The opportunity to move up to the next level is getting better and better."