Cannon gets big shot as York's new boys basketball coach

Dominic Cannon had been looking for another shot at leading a boys basketball program.

A surprise turn of events in late August gave the former Prospect coach that opportunity at York.

Al Biancalana's departure to become an assistant coach at Illinois-Chicago for new coach Howard Moore opened the door for Cannon. Cannon was hired to take over York's varsity program on a one-year interim basis after two seasons as an assistant for Biancalana.

"This is an awesome opportunity," said Cannon, who thanked principal Diana Smith, athletic director John Rutter and assistant athletic director Rachael Shepherd. "They showed a lot of confidence in giving me an opportunity to take over for this year.

"The outpouring of support from the community and parents has been such an amazing thing. (The administration) knows I'm going to be here for the kids and the system is already in place because of Coach B. I'm just taking over a program that was in awesome shape with Coach B."

Cannon was 83-109 in seven years (2000-07) at Prospect. His first team won the Mid-Suburban East title and his second went 18-11 and reached the sectional semifinals, but he was let go after five straight losing seasons.

Cannon spent a year at Palatine as an assistant to Ed Molitor, and then Biancalana brought him to York. Cannon was the freshman "A" coach his first year and head sophomore coach last year.

"Everything I have at York is because of Coach B," Cannon said of Biancalana, who took over the program in 2005 after six years as an assistant at Bradley. "He gave me a lot of responsibility and we both have the same drive and passion for the game and kids."

Cannon, who is a special education teacher at Prospect and has been in coaching for 22 years, inherits a York team that was 18-9 and features Division I prospect and three-year starter Will Sullivan.

Cannon expects the familiarity on both sides will help make a quick transition that could have been difficult relatively smooth. He thinks one of his points of emphasis will play well for the Dukes in the rugged West Suburban Silver with Oak Park-River Forest, Lyons and Proviso West.

"You have to be really good defensively," Cannon said. "We have very smart players and very fundamentally sound players and that isn't going to change."

And when the season is over, Cannon hopes to have made a strong enough impression to make this a long-term opportunity at York.

"I can understand from the administrative perspective (getting the job on an interim basis)," Cannon said. "I was very fortunate to be in the position I was and it's a great opportunity for me and my family.

"I can't express how gratified I am to have this opportunity at such a great place."