Boys basketball: Furman's run at Elk Grove ends after 11 years
After meeting with his players and coaches on Thursday, Anthony Furman has stepped down after leading the Elk Grove boys basketball program as head coach for 11 years.
Under his tenure, coach Furman saw significant growth in the program. The Grens gained a share of the Mid-Suburban East title in 2016, and Furman was named MSL East Coach of the Year.
"Coach Furman is truly an exemplary man of character," said Bob Murphy, assistant principal at Elk Grove, in a statement released by the school. "He has a core set of principles that guide his fairness towards referees, his sportsmanship toward opposing teams, his collegial relationship with fellow head coaches and the patient manner in which he challenges his athletes to high standards. I'm going to miss working with Anthony in basketball but look forward to continuing to work with him in other areas."
Furman says there's been much in his long career that he'll look back on proudly.
"What I will miss most is definitely the relationships that continue to grow with the players from their freshman year to beyond high school," Furman said. "I will miss the competitiveness of the practices and games that drive preparation and strategic planning. I will miss sharing the feelings that come from the success and adversity you face in a season and the friendships with the coaches on staff in our program.
"Finally, I will miss being a part of the special group of coaches working within the MSL."
Boys athletic director and baseball head coach Terry Beyna said he enjoyed his time collaborating with Furman.
"Coach Furman has led Grenadiers basketball with a great level of professionalism and passion," Beyna said. "We are grateful for his hard work and the great relationships he formed with players and colleagues."
Furman says he'll take with him many fond recollections, including the growth of his own family as he led the Elk Grove program. And he wishes nothing but the best to the future of that program.
"I hope that Elk Grove Basketball will continue to be known as a program that plays incredibly hard every day and has student athletes within it that genuinely represent and enhance the culture we continue to develop," Furman said. "I wish the players and coaches the best of luck with summer camp and preparation for the 18-19 season and beyond.
"I would like to thank my wife, family, friends, coworkers and everybody that has been a part of Elk Grove basketball over the last 11 years. The Elk Grove community and high school have been incredibly good to me over the last 21 years and I am truly thankful for that. I look forward to the new challenges I will encounter and get involved with in the near future."