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Waubonsie Valley names Schweitzer new basketball coach

Waubonsie Valley will turn to Andrew Schweitzer, the sophomore coach at Wheaton Warrenville South, to replace Jason Mead and become the school's seventh varsity boys basketball coach.

A football player at Augustana College and assistant football coach with the Tigers, Schweitzer credited WW South varsity basketball coach Mike Healy with giving him the confidence that he could also become an outstanding basketball coach.

"I still love coaching football, still think it's one of my strengths, but basketball has become my main sport," Schweitzer said. "I've been fortunate enough to learn from Mike Healy, I think he's a great mentor, and there's countless other coaches who have helped me though the years."

Schweitzer grew up in Wheaton and played football, basketball and ran track at Wheaton North, playing basketball for current Batavia coach Jim Nazos.

"I wasn't very skilled but I was physical and tough and had grit which is how I coach," Schweitzer said.

He called himself a "bit of a traitor" for coaching at WW South after college, where he has worked with the football team's lower levels and also the defensive backs on varsity. Seven years ago Healy approached him about also coaching basketball, and Schweitzer jumped aboard, working with the varsity as an assistant for three years, coaching the freshman one season and the sophomore team the past three years.

A special-education teacher at Monroe Middle School in Wheaton, where he also attended, Schweitzer said the break during the COVID-19 pandemic gave him time to think and focus on his career goals.

Becoming a varsity basketball coach was high on that list, and said he couldn't have picked a better place to start.

"I think it's a great opportunity for me," Schweitzer said. "I don't think I could be walking into a better situation. Credit to Jason Mead for what he's created over there and obviously they have had a lot of success. I think there's an excellent school culture there. Honestly there's very few places I would have left South for. I'm excited to get to work. It's truly been a whirlwind."

Schweitzer said he's talked to Waubonsie's lower level coaches. Those teams also have had success lately, and Schweitzer is excited to build on what the Warriors have done with their recent varsity teams, which includes 27-5 seasons in both 2019 and 2020.

"I think we can build on what's already been accomplished the last five years," Schweitzer said. "This is not a renovation, this is something I can build on. As for the product on the floor, we are going to be relentless in everything we do. I think it's going to be a tough, physical and exciting brand of basketball. If the kids expect to win, expect excellence, the results will take care of themselves."

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