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LW Fan
05-15-09, 04:10 PM
In a press release Sean Van Winkle formerly the head coach at Ross was named the head coach for Lakota West.

What kind of coach is he? What style of play does he like? Will he be able to lure former players (e.g., Phil Cook, Chad Richardson) back in to the program.

bpdawg32
05-15-09, 04:23 PM
In a press release Sean Van Winkle formerly the head coach at Ross was named the head coach for Lakota West.

What kind of coach is he? What style of play does he like? Will he be able to lure former players (e.g., Phil Cook, Chad Richardson) back in to the program.

I'm Happy for Sean, he is a good coach and knows the X's and O's, he used the zone at Ross for multiple reasons, but don't let people tell you he is a zone only coach. you have to have the athletes to run Man to man and he should get that now at west!!!

Congrats Coach V remember he was a finalist for the Hamilton job also he must know his stuff!!

FB Nation OH
05-15-09, 04:49 PM
In a press release Sean Van Winkle formerly the head coach at Ross was named the head coach for Lakota West.

What kind of coach is he? What style of play does he like? Will he be able to lure former players (e.g., Phil Cook, Chad Richardson) back in to the program.

Help me out here. Why would former players need to be "lured" back? Are you suggesting that these "former" players walked away from the game because of a coach? IMO - every kid has a choice. If they want to play...then PLAY. They shouldn't let a coach stand in the way of their love for the game.

arobben
05-15-09, 04:57 PM
In a press release Sean Van Winkle formerly the head coach at Ross was named the head coach for Lakota West.

What kind of coach is he? What style of play does he like? Will he be able to lure former players (e.g., Phil Cook, Chad Richardson) back in to the program.

More importantly than those kids (who are they?) I think van winkle had better reach out to hicks, smith, and Obi right away. They are the backbone of that team.

Knew this one was coming a few weeks ago. Scott just didn't do enough. Van winkle better win next season

LW Fan
05-15-09, 05:23 PM
Help me out here. Why would former players need to be "lured" back? Are you suggesting that these "former" players walked away from the game because of a coach? IMO - every kid has a choice. If they want to play...then PLAY. They shouldn't let a coach stand in the way of their love for the game.
Unfortunately I learned recently this is the history of the program going back a few years (to 2000 or 2001 I think). I think one of the reasons Lakota made a change was that the Muellers thought they were bigger than the program. Last summer Scott try to force an issue with a kid (if you want us to get you a basketball scholarship then quit playing football), it back fired in his face and his dad had to come in and clean it up with the kid and his parents.

LW Fan
05-15-09, 05:30 PM
More importantly than those kids (who are they?) I think van winkle had better reach out to hicks, smith, and Obi right away. They are the backbone of that team.

Knew this one was coming a few weeks ago. Scott just didn't do enough. Van winkle better win next season

I agree...at the end of the season Hicks, Smith, Nwankwo were all on the fence about playing next year (prior conflicts with Scott). And don't forget about Griffin, Gordon and Brewer. These "former" players are fast and athletic and will help give the new coach more options defensively.

arobben
05-15-09, 07:59 PM
I'm hearing that part of the reason the hiring group wanted SVW was because he is planning on cleaning house with the current staff and startting fresh.

Impala Drive
05-15-09, 08:16 PM
http://www.journal-news.com/hamilton-sports/high-school-sports/lakota-west/lakota-west-selects-new-boys-basketball-coach-121527.html

Can Van Winkle make the move to the big school conference and have success like another former Ram coach did at Fairfield? Ron Chasteen fresh off a state title run with the Rams in the beginning of the '80's decade resurrected the Fairfield program from the GMC cellar. Good luck to Coach Van Winkle.

cincyhoops
05-15-09, 08:49 PM
I'm hearing that part of the reason the hiring group wanted SVW was because he is planning on cleaning house with the current staff and startting fresh.


I think starting fresh is a great idea... but is that feasible in high school? Especially when they were having a hard time finding a teaching position for the Varsity coach let alone guys he might want to bring in?

Can he really bring in 5 or 6 coaches of his own?

Gatorheel
05-15-09, 09:16 PM
In a press release Sean Van Winkle formerly the head coach at Ross was named the head coach for Lakota West.

What kind of coach is he? What style of play does he like? Will he be able to lure former players (e.g., Phil Cook, Chad Richardson) back in to the program.

Why would he want to lure players who have been ineligible and haven't played since jr. hi? I didn't even know Chad played basketball. I hope he has great success at West.

FB Nation OH
05-16-09, 07:59 AM
It will be interesting to see what happens with the basketball camps this summer. Wonder if Mueller will go through with his?

RoundballOZ11
05-16-09, 10:15 AM
I don't know who will play and won't play, but Coach Van Winkle will not be outworked. West will be prepared, their opponents will be scouted numerous times and the young men better be ready to work and play hard.

LW Fan
05-16-09, 10:24 AM
Why would he want to lure players who have been ineligible and haven't played since jr. hi? I didn't even know Chad played basketball. I hope he has great success at West.
In correct, Phil was eligible the 2nd semester of his freshman year and I believe all of last year (he moved but is now back in the district). Chad does play basketball and is an honor roll student. Ask any players currently in the program if they are good enough to make varsity.

LW Fan
05-16-09, 10:26 AM
It will be interesting to see what happens with the basketball camps this summer. Wonder if Mueller will go through with his?
I am sure he will because it is a "money maker" for the coaches and helps supplement their income.

8-26allday
05-16-09, 10:30 AM
Glad to see the "STUNT" pulled off by the Muellers last fall did not work out. LW basketball will be better off to move forward without either of them.

RammFan
05-16-09, 10:31 AM
To all of the LW staff.....thanks for taking him off of our hands. There are some problems you will have, it will just take a year or so to show up. Hope he changes his ways from the Ross area.

LW Fan
05-16-09, 11:00 AM
To all of the LW staff.....thanks for taking him off of our hands. There are some problems you will have, it will just take a year or so to show up. Hope he changes his ways from the Ross area.

OK I will bite, what problems will surface in a year?

PlayersCoach98
05-16-09, 11:54 AM
LW Fan.....did van winks get a position in the school? He supervised in school suspension at Ross. He is not a teacher, but could fill other positions in the school. I feel this could have helped him because there didn't appear to be any teaching positions, but they could probably get him in with a similar job to the one he held at Ross.

I think this is a great hire. Don't let the Ross haters talk you out of it. The talent pool at Ross was very limited, but he competed every year. I am interested in how he will adjust to the strong conference, no more nights off like when they would play the cupcakes like Northwest.

ffgolf
05-16-09, 01:00 PM
The king is dead.... a poorly executed plan by the Dad probably cost his kid the job...one that he was clearly in line for. No doubt some of the decison making process had to fall on what seemed a power play by Mueller...who clearly had the largest ego in the GMC....
Sean will be a fine coach...he now will have talent...more than one player...which he never had at Ross....the parents and staff will love him as he is the complete opposite of the ego-maniac that has held court for the last 20 years...
As Mike said once....long live the King....

tucker
05-16-09, 09:17 PM
what was chasteen's overall record at fairfield? like mueller he had a large ego.

ffgolf
05-17-09, 09:54 AM
what was chasteen's overall record at fairfield? like mueller he had a large ego.

not sure what Chasteen's record was...although it's generally thought that he did a effective job...and the program really hasn't been the same since his passing...as for his ego, I wouldn't argue that his was large...unlike Mueller though..Chasteen wasn't a fake..image wasn't his foremost concern.

arobben
05-18-09, 06:13 PM
Is VW married? Kids? Does he live in the lakota district?

Baller
05-18-09, 08:39 PM
Is this guy related to RIP Van Winkle!

Percy Dovetonsils
05-24-09, 10:14 AM
No, Rob Van Winkle (aka Vanilla Ice). I hear West will take the court for warm-ups to the song:blush:

buckeyefan22
05-24-09, 02:20 PM
I'm glad coach van winkle got a shot a big school but i think that his west squad will have a tough year.... I think coach van winkle has a lot to learn about leading a big time program but i hope he does great things in the coming years as head coach of Lakota West

HoopHound
05-24-09, 04:00 PM
I'm glad coach van winkle got a shot a big school but i think that his west squad will have a tough year.... I think coach van winkle has a lot to learn about leading a big time program but i hope he does great things in the coming years as head coach of Lakota West

He certainly seems to have the personnel to be successful next year.

He's got three regular starters Obi Nwankwo, Jordan Hicks and Garrett Gordon returning, as well as Alex Smith, who I believe started some games himself. Certainly has some pretty decent size too (Gordon 6'6, Smith 6'5, and Hicks 6'4).

Who was the point guard last year?

Also, what was the JV record last season?

Brand spankin' new coaches have certainly had far less to start out with. :shrug:

bigmoe
05-26-09, 02:14 PM
He certainly seems to have the personnel to be successful next year.

He's got three regular starters Obi Nwankwo, Jordan Hicks and Garrett Gordon returning, as well as Alex Smith, who I believe started some games himself. Certainly has some pretty decent size too (Gordon 6'6, Smith 6'5, and Hicks 6'4).

Who was the point guard last year?

Also, what was the JV record last season?

Brand spankin' new coaches have certainly had far less to start out with. :shrug:

Point guard last year was Obi, JV record was 16-4 (lost to Middletown twice, East once and Mason once). JV started two freshman (Darland & Williams), two sophmores (Romero & Ward) and one junior (Freson). Another sophmore Fox would have gotten more playing time but was coming back from a football injury.

Interesting will be what the new coach does with all the returning seniors, Obi, Hicks, Smith, Gordan, Straus, Griffin, Freson, Brewer & Stafford. How will he get playing time to the class after this one. Should be a good squad for this year and the next will have seen very little if any varsity time.

HoopHound
05-26-09, 04:30 PM
Point guard last year was Obi, JV record was 16-4 (lost to Middletown twice, East once and Mason once). JV started two freshman (Darland & Williams), two sophmores (Romero & Ward) and one junior (Freson). Another sophmore Fox would have gotten more playing time but was coming back from a football injury.

Interesting will be what the new coach does with all the returning seniors, Obi, Hicks, Smith, Gordan, Straus, Griffin, Freson, Brewer & Stafford. How will he get playing time to the class after this one. Should be a good squad for this year and the next will have seen very little if any varsity time.

Good points, bigmoe.

The following part ESPECIALLY rankles me...
...Interesting will be what the new coach does with all the returning seniors, Obi, Hicks, Smith, Gordan, Straus, Griffin, Freson, Brewer & Stafford. How will he get playing time to the class after this one. Should be a good squad for this year and the next will have seen very little if any varsity time.

Why ANY coach feels it necessary to keep more than maybe five or six seniors is beyond me. :wallbang: It's a subject that many of us have discussed in here many times. :Ohno:

I know all the arguments for keeping that many...
They've been loyal to the program.

They've all played together since junior basketball/grade school/middle school (fill in the blank)


While loyalty to a group of players is admirable... doing this can play havoc on the long-range goal of a program. It's the "big picture" that many coaches seem to lose site of. :blush:

Keeping that many seniors can foul up a program for YEARS to come. The development chain is snapped when those three or four "excess" seniors take away valuable playing (and practice) time from underclassmen that NEED that stage of development.

I've always said that the ONLY time a team should keep that many seniors is... a guaranteed trip to Columbus. Anything less and the trade-off is just too steep to afford. :shrug:

I could be wrong, but it doesn't seem like this particular LW team has the "horses" to make Columbus even if they keep all the seniors mentioned. I know he'll trample on a lot of toes and fracture some fragile player and parent egos... but if I were the new coach, I'd trim that senior class down to a more manageable size.

It would be good for the program AND the new coach's future teams.

bigmoe
05-26-09, 08:30 PM
Actually their is a tenth player Stetson Earl that will be returning for his senior year. That makes 10 juniors that played last year. Seven got many minutes varsity clock and three that got little if any. However this puts a new coach in a very difficult situation with ten players that have played for the program since junior high, would he cut them and deny them their senior year?

Three freshman got significant JV clock, two starting and playing as many miuntes as anyone on the JV. Will they spend another season playing JV and what about the incoming junior class, just write them off? What about the freshman class moving up and the sophmore team filled with players. A log jam to say the least. Should make for interesting tryouts.

Will there be new coaches at every level or will they just replace the varsity staff? Many questions should be interesting threads for awhile.

bigmoe
05-26-09, 08:32 PM
Another thought as I went back over the thread, maybe Phil Cook and Chad Richardson will bring their shoes out of junior high retirement and make the squad, that would give the program 12 seniors, might as well get three more and fill the bench.

arobben
05-26-09, 10:12 PM
Will there be new coaches at every level or will they just replace the varsity staff? Many questions should be interesting threads for awhile.

I heard one of the reasons that Van Winkle was so appealing was that he was going to clean house as far as coaching staff goes. Not sure if that means varsity only. Was anyone on last yea'rs staff worth keeping anyway?

LW Fan
05-27-09, 09:07 AM
Another thought as I went back over the thread, maybe Phil Cook and Chad Richardson will bring their shoes out of junior high retirement and make the squad, that would give the program 12 seniors, might as well get three more and fill the bench.
Phil is a junior. Chad is a senior. I understand that 1 senior player has already talked to the new coach about at least one player who didn't play last year who he thought could help the team. Phil and Chad are both athletes who can pressure the ball and play well in transition.

LW Fan
05-27-09, 09:17 AM
Good points, bigmoe.

The following part ESPECIALLY rankles me...


Why ANY coach feels it necessary to keep more than maybe five or six seniors is beyond me. :wallbang: It's a subject that many of us have discussed in here many times. :Ohno:

I know all the arguments for keeping that many...
They've been loyal to the program.

They've all played together since junior basketball/grade school/middle school (fill in the blank)


While loyalty to a group of players is admirable... doing this can play havoc on the long-range goal of a program. It's the "big picture" that many coaches seem to lose site of. :blush:

Keeping that many seniors can foul up a program for YEARS to come. The development chain is snapped when those three or four "excess" seniors take away valuable playing (and practice) time from underclassmen that NEED that stage of development.

I've always said that the ONLY time a team should keep that many seniors is... a guaranteed trip to Columbus. Anything less and the trade-off is just too steep to afford. :shrug:

I could be wrong, but it doesn't seem like this particular LW team has the "horses" to make Columbus even if they keep all the seniors mentioned. I know he'll trample on a lot of toes and fracture some fragile player and parent egos... but if I were the new coach, I'd trim that senior class down to a more manageable size.

It would be good for the program AND the new coach's future teams.

This class has a chance to be something special if all players decide to play. I would put them as a close 2nd to princeton this year in the GMC. My feeling is that this will be a senior heavy team not out of loyalty but because of ability. There are some solid juniors who are good basketball players but only a couple are athletes (e.g., can pressure ball on defense, can create own shot). I would guess 3-5 underclassmen make varsity and probably 7-8 seniors making the team.

They have a team meeting so more should be known about how the coach plans on proceeding.

bigmoe
05-27-09, 06:18 PM
Phil is a junior. Chad is a senior. I understand that 1 senior player has already talked to the new coach about at least one player who didn't play last year who he thought could help the team. Phil and Chad are both athletes who can pressure the ball and play well in transition.

It seems I was wrong about Phil being a senior. LW you must be close to these players when was the last time either of them played school ball or AAU basketball? Please don't tell me junior high and they were great then and after four or five seasons they'll play at varsity level in the GMC. What was the last team either played for?

LW Fan
05-27-09, 08:53 PM
It seems I was wrong about Phil being a senior. LW you must be close to these players when was the last time either of them played school ball or AAU basketball? Please don't tell me junior high and they were great then and after four or five seasons they'll play at varsity level in the GMC. What was the last team either played for?

All I am going to say is "get your popcorn ready".

buckeyefan22
05-27-09, 11:03 PM
I wasn't saying he doesn't have the talent and the players to have a good team i just think that he will have a rough year with his first year.. Does Lakota have any good big men coming back because big men seem to always make or break a team in the GMC

LW Fan
05-28-09, 09:56 AM
I wasn't saying he doesn't have the talent and the players to have a good team i just think that he will have a rough year with his first year.. Does Lakota have any good big men coming back because big men seem to always make or break a team in the GMC

They have a couple of 6-5, 6-6 guys. Alex Smith, 2nd team GMC and Garrett Gordon.

buckeyefan22
05-28-09, 01:49 PM
They have a couple of 6-5, 6-6 guys. Alex Smith, 2nd team GMC and Garrett Gordon.

Thats good because i have seen where not having a good big man can really hurt your team and without one a first year coach can have some issues. Ex. Robinson at hamilton had some skilled guards but had no big guys and that really hurt them. But i really want to see coach van winkle do well at lakota west.

RossRam
06-02-09, 08:07 PM
OK I will bite, what problems will surface in a year?


LOL You will so see
Thanks for taking him out of our system !!!!
We will not miss him... Also the kids are glad to see him GO!!!!
You will see in a yr or two!
Again Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!

billyjake
06-03-09, 06:34 AM
Again Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!



In other words - he didn't play your son...

HoopLover4
06-03-09, 07:45 AM
In other words - he didn't play your son...

That's funny! I have heard nothing but good things about Van Winkle. He seems to be a hard worker and student of the game. He will FINALLY have the talent at West that he never came close to at Ross, and I believe that he will have a great career at West.

RossRam
06-03-09, 01:49 PM
Yea you are right he didn't play. He played 3 ys V squad and started 2

They will understand when he gets there and I will make sure to watch here to see what is said LOL

Thanks AGAIN

LW Fan
06-03-09, 02:00 PM
Yea you are right he didn't play. He played 3 ys V squad and started 2

They will understand when he gets there and I will make sure to watch here to see what is said LOL

Thanks AGAIN

Specifically, what happened? What things can we expect to see happen?

BusinessEnd
06-03-09, 02:34 PM
I think SVW will find West more suited to his expectations of coaching than Ross - & that is not a dig at Ross. SVW is a dedicated coach, a gym rat, and he expects his players to have the same mindset toward basketball. The athletes at West tend to really focus on athletics, or one sport in particular, more than many other schools due to the competition for roster spots and playing time. Ross because of its size has a lot of athletes playing multiple sports and trying to juggle multiple coaches demands at the same time.

LW Fan
06-03-09, 03:09 PM
I think SVW will find West more suited to his expectations of coaching than Ross - & that is not a dig at Ross. SVW is a dedicated coach, a gym rat, and he expects his players to have the same mindset toward basketball. The athletes at West tend to really focus on athletics, or one sport in particular, more than many other schools due to the competition for roster spots and playing time. Ross because of its size has a lot of athletes playing multiple sports and trying to juggle multiple coaches demands at the same time.
West and Ross are more similar that you think in that West has multiple sport athletes too. For example, West's 3 top returning players (Nwankwo, Hicks & Smith) also play football.

billyjake
06-03-09, 03:10 PM
SVW is a dedicated coach, a gym rat, and he expects his players to have the same mindset toward basketball.

That makes sense - I can see why the folks at Ross are glad he's gone...

RossRam
06-03-09, 10:14 PM
Specifically, what happened? What things can we expect to see happen?


Well the first couple of years were ok because Bosse and Young were on the team. It’s hard to be an --- with your boss’s sons on your team. One of the board members and the assistant Superintendents was on the team. But after that he went from ok to a tyrant to the players.

He did tell kids that they want to play Basket Ball you can’t play another sport. Then parents stopped that but he did treat them different.

He would do somewhat questionable things for punishments if you lose a game.
Or if they have an opinion, thought or comment. Or if a parent asks a question.

Pull kids into closed door one on one and say and threaten them.
Then deny it ever happened! Yes I know this could be an upset kid or parent making these comments but just beware and listen to the kids
But there is a trend with this over the last few years.

Lots of things happened just too much to list he will do anything for the win and will sacrifice your kids to do this.

The one thing I would like to say is this, I hope Sean has a son and his son is treated with the same respect and dignity that he has shown my son and the other kids that played for him at Ross.

Good luck with him
He will not be missed

cincyhoops
06-04-09, 01:24 AM
Well the first couple of years were ok because Bosse and Young were on the team. It’s hard to be an --- with your boss’s sons on your team. One of the board members and the assistant Superintendents was on the team. But after that he went from ok to a tyrant to the players.

He did tell kids that they want to play Basket Ball you can’t play another sport. Then parents stopped that but he did treat them different.

He would do somewhat questionable things for punishments if you lose a game.
Or if they have an opinion, thought or comment. Or if a parent asks a question.

Pull kids into closed door one on one and say and threaten them.
Then deny it ever happened! Yes I know this could be an upset kid or parent making these comments but just beware and listen to the kids
But there is a trend with this over the last few years.

Lots of things happened just too much to list he will do anything for the win and will sacrifice your kids to do this.

The one thing I would like to say is this, I hope Sean has a son and his son is treated with the same respect and dignity that he has shown my son and the other kids that played for him at Ross.

Good luck with him
He will not be missed


If you're going to post something like this, at least be man (or woman) enough to put your name to it!

arobben
06-04-09, 05:16 AM
BTW ... my reliable source has told me that Hicks will NOT be playing bball next year. Dont know about the other two big guns

LW Fan
06-04-09, 09:10 AM
BTW ... my reliable source has told me that Hicks will NOT be playing bball next year. Dont know about the other two big guns

I heard Jordan is considering not playing basketball but a decision has not been made. However when it is all said and done, I believe he will play for a couple of reasons. First, he is playing AAU b-ball now and 2nd, his first love is basketball (e.g., if he had 1 decent D-1 program offer him in b-ball, he would seriously consider playing b-ball in college).

The only way I see him not playing basketball is if he decides to enroll in college early...from what I understand this is a real possibility.

BusinessEnd
06-04-09, 09:39 AM
I heard the same about Hicks possibly graduating from West early and enrolling in whatever college he chooses. From what I understand it is probably more likely he will not play than that he will play. His first love is basketball but I think (since I have only spoken to some football coaches) that he realizes he has a better chance at excelling in football rather than basketball. The kid has NFL projected measurables and skills.

What RossRam said is what I was trying to allude to earlier. SVW is a very committed basketball coach & he expects the same out of his players. I don't know if the athletes at Ross were ready to commit at the level SVW expects and I know that was a frustration for him as well as some players/parents. There is a much greater emphasis on athletics at West and the players there are more receptive to the demands of playing basketball year round even if they participate in other sports. As for the other stuff ... there are two sides to every story and the truth lies somewhere in between.

Gatorheel
06-04-09, 11:29 AM
I've been told that Coach Van Winkle told the boys that if you are in football and there is a conflict, they are to go to football because that is the next sport. Is he going to take it out on the boys that participate in another sport or is he genuine about this?

RossRam
06-04-09, 02:22 PM
I heard the same about Hicks possibly graduating from West early and enrolling in whatever college he chooses. From what I understand it is probably more likely he will not play than that he will play. His first love is basketball but I think (since I have only spoken to some football coaches) that he realizes he has a better chance at excelling in football rather than basketball. The kid has NFL projected measurables and skills.

What RossRam said is what I was trying to allude to earlier. SVW is a very committed basketball coach & he expects the same out of his players. I don't know if the athletes at Ross were ready to commit at the level SVW expects and I know that was a frustration for him as well as some players/parents. There is a much greater emphasis on athletics at West and the players there are more receptive to the demands of playing basketball year round even if they participate in other sports. As for the other stuff ... there are two sides to every story and the truth lies somewhere in between.

Yes two sides and I am sure somewhere in that is the truth to it all just listen to the kids and you as a parent will find it out.

Sean is a good person.. Has helped alot of kids (outside of the court) but needs to be a little better with his one on one with the kids.

South Bend Central
06-05-09, 07:11 AM
I've been told that Coach Van Winkle told the boys that if you are in football and there is a conflict, they are to go to football because that is the next sport. Is he going to take it out on the boys that participate in another sport or is he genuine about this?


EVERY COACH worth his salt, says and believes this about hoopsters who play FB.
Not a big deal.

arobben
06-10-09, 09:51 AM
Got a chance to meet new Lakota West boys basketball coach Sean Van Winkle today, June 9, and one of the things we discussed was his coaching staff.

He is in the process of completing his entire staff, but here is what he knows so far.

Adair Carmichael, former varsity assistant at Mount Healthy and a West Chester Twp. resident, will be the varsity assistant.

“He’s going to bring a lot of experience to the staff,” Van Winkle said. “He’s also going to bring some presence working with the post players.”

Kevin Kernohan, an assistant at Ross with Van Winkle, will be the Firebirds’ JV coach.

“He’s been my right-hand man the last couple years,” Van Winkle said. “He’s a guy I trust and he’s really loyal to me. He’s a players’ coach. He does a great job. It was a no-brainer I wanted him to come with me.”

Two other assistants will be Matt Grimes, the sophomore coach at West last year, and Bret Noonan, who will work with the sophomore and JV squads.

Kevin Alexander will return as West’s freshman coach. The sophomore head coach position has yet to be filled.


Looks like Van Winkle basically cleaned house. Only one guy is staying where he was last year.

LW Fan
06-10-09, 10:08 AM
Got a chance to meet new Lakota West boys basketball coach Sean Van Winkle today, June 9, and one of the things we discussed was his coaching staff.

He is in the process of completing his entire staff, but here is what he knows so far.

Adair Carmichael, former varsity assistant at Mount Healthy and a West Chester Twp. resident, will be the varsity assistant.

“He’s going to bring a lot of experience to the staff,” Van Winkle said. “He’s also going to bring some presence working with the post players.”

Kevin Kernohan, an assistant at Ross with Van Winkle, will be the Firebirds’ JV coach.

“He’s been my right-hand man the last couple years,” Van Winkle said. “He’s a guy I trust and he’s really loyal to me. He’s a players’ coach. He does a great job. It was a no-brainer I wanted him to come with me.”

Two other assistants will be Matt Grimes, the sophomore coach at West last year, and Bret Noonan, who will work with the sophomore and JV squads.

Kevin Alexander will return as West’s freshman coach. The sophomore head coach position has yet to be filled.


Looks like Van Winkle basically cleaned house. Only one guy is staying where he was last year.

Did he say how the team was looking so far this summer?