New coach at Olney High School - Part 1

Dear Olney Residents,(part 1)

I've recently been viewing a webpage called Illinoishighschoolsports.com and came across some disturbing comments made by some of Olney Basketball supporters.

First off, I would like to say that it is unfortunate that Coach Dobbs was not hired back to coach the team. He sounds like a good coach. It also seems like some school board members were not big fans of his. I'm over four hours away and don't know what transpired.

Some seem to think that Brent McKinney shouldn't have been hired to coach the girls' basketball team due to his age (32) and his lack of head coaching experience at a known high school. I've known this man for 23 years and can honestly say that he is prepared to take on this job. I've coached against at the junior high level in the South Suburbs and watched him take one on one playground ballers (boys and girls) and transform them into a cohesive team that feed into Thornwood High School. Players that he groomed took Thornwood to state several times. While at Gridley,(no disrespect intended) he didn't have the caliber of athletes that we was accustomed to coaching and won several games that he didn't have any business winning.

To be continued.....

New Coach at Olney High School(part 2)

I can promise you that your town has just gained a young, passionate, dedicated educator and coach. In terms of basketball, he will stress defense, get your girls to play hard, and play as a team. He will not rely on one player and will not play favorites or any other political garbage . He will discipline the girls when they don't play hard, are disrespectful to an adult, or screw around in school.

It sounds like Olney enjoys their basketball. I can assure you if you give Brent McKinney a chance to implement is style of play, give your lower levels time to adjust, and be supportive......you will remain at the top of small town basketball.

I just noticed a typo in the first post (we was accustomed......should be we WERE accustomed to). Sorry. Look forward to seeing an Olney game this season.

Thanks.