UP & COMERS

• Pat Gordon     Lincoln Park
“Entering his 3rd season at the north-side school. Has assembled a nice core of young talent. Pat has a good side line temperament; his approach leaves his players and families trusting and believing in his system. Has the program looking upward again? One of the P. L’s bright ones.”

• Jay Rhode     Oak Lawn
“Has star qualities. Jay has been innovative in finding effective ways to be successful. His district isn’t spewing out blue chippers either every few years. His body of work has been excellent.”

• Quinn Peterson      Walter Payton
“Already keen with the balance of X&O and understanding the magnitude of academics at his school. Has stardom scripted across him. Over-sees the rising Made-Men Club Program. One of my favorites.”

• Corey Bradford      Simeon
“Once the Head Varsity coach at Solario Academy, now entering his third year as Assistant under Rob Smith’s Program. Things are way too cushy now for Bradford to veer off and implement his own brand elsewhere. The opportunity awaits thou.”

• J.O. Oliver      Curie
“A popular figure in the city circles and Western Suburban areas. Has been Assistant at Curie for a number of years. Has interviewed well for several recent job openings. Coaches in the D Rose Program.”

• Chris Perkins      Willowbrook
“Has been at helm for at least 5 seasons at the West-Suburban school. CP is a very good bench coach and well noted as a player’s coach. He has mastered the ability to deal with challenging issues well as they arrive in his environment. He’s highly regarded.”

• Steven Parham      Kenwood
“A well-armed Assistant Coach at the Hyde Park area school. Entering his third season as a respected Assistant. The Parham name has been synonymous with Chicago hoops since the early 70s. A head gig opportunity should arrive soon.”

• Cornelius Crossley     Rich-Central
“Sized him up last season in a play-off game and absolutely loved his side-line demeanor. A rising bench coach who isn’t fearful of expectations or decisions.”

• Chris Passafiume     Richards
“Entering his 2nd season as varsity coach. Has superb passion for the game, well prepared & has his team playing at a high-clip with limited talent base.”

• Quinn Hayes     St. Viator
“An early favorite to win his league’s conference title. Learning his craft well in the line of fire where expectations are held high, and he’s striving effectively.”

• Greg Bayer      Plainfield Central
“High energy with the good spirit, work ethic un-matched. He will enter his first year as Varsity Coach after several years as an Assistant at his alma mater. He will be dynamite with his kids!”

• Reggie Bates     Kenwood
“An exuberant young coach with a passionate insight on player development. He is currently starting his first year as a Sophomore Coach at Kenwood. A varsity job awaits for this young talent who presently coaches in the Mean Streets Program.”

• Brandon Bright      Whitney Young High School
“He looks to be approaching his 7th season as a valuable Assistant with a program that has been one of our areas finest. Now he’s been through the once customary apprenticeship of coaching at the freshman and sophomore levels. A varsity gig looms soon for the Whitney Young Grad whom I had the pleasure of being there when he was born in May of 1987. I’m very proud of him.”

• Ken Horton      Bogan H.S.
“Primed & ready for a head gig. Ken has been a loyal soldier to the Bengal Program for many years which has prepared him for the challenges he may face as a varsity post awaits. He’s seasoned with star qualities, has excellent rapport with kids, and understands the make-up of developing players.”