Joe Garrett-former Belpre head coach. Took three teams from "basketball deprived" southeastern ohio to the state tournament. Twelve TVC titles in 15 years. His teams were fixtures at Ohio U's Convo nearly every year. Very good at X's and O's. Great game preparation and game manager, amazing at individual player development. As much of a teacher of the game than a coach; had a unique way about him to explain things in the simplest way. When he talked, you were listening.

Perry Reece is a coaching icon, not only in Ohio, but the country.

[darbyfan07]

Brett Norris, turning around a lowly Darby program in two years and had immense success at Delphos St. Johns

The best we have had in the Canton-Akron area: Greynolds at Barberton, Seigfreth at Central Hower, Hoover at McKinley, Taylor at Jackson, McClary at Mogadore, Close at Stow, Falb at Copley. I probably missed a few but this is an all-star lineup.

There may be no greater coaching/life story than that of the great Perry Reece. If you are not aware, find a Sports Illustrated story of a few years ago. Almost incomprehensible.

Farmer,
I can agree on some of those but a few are hard to back. Some might say that Hoover at McKinley had a stacked team every year. However the impressive thing about him was how he got the team to play well together. I can not say that Taylor at Jackson was a great coach.

<font size="-2">(Message edited by Poncho4 on June 21, 2007)</font>

[muva20fan]

Of course I'll agree on Perry... and its REESE (like the candy bars) if you plan to google him.

[oldscl]

another vote for STEVE SMITH

[jrccshoe]

What's amazing about Perry Reese is that he actually had an 0-21 record on his resume from his days at Guernsey Central Catholic. Obviously he learned from those tough losses &amp; became a great coach/leader of young men.

STEVE SMITH and PERRY REESE

[jrccshoe]

Bob VonKoenel, Dover
Gene Ford, Cambridge

Brian Danilov, Campbell Memorial. A drill instructor that players just love to play for.

Poncho4: Great point about Hoover. Remember, he let Westerville North to a D-1 State Title in 1995. That program was no good prior to his arrival, nor since his departure (has steadily declined). So he's won State Titles at both stops he had as a head coach--one with a lot of resources/tradition, and one with not many/much.

And there is a lot of, let's just call them 'distractions', that goes with the McKinley job.

<font size="-2">(Message edited by myron_pater_bos on June 23, 2007)</font>

Myron, you sure Westerville North won the title in '95? I recall being ata game at St. John's arena when Zanesville's Seth Martin banked in a free throw to win the Semi-Final game over Shawn Stonerook and WN, and then a double overtime win over Cleveland Heights and Damon Stringer.

<font size="-2">(Message edited by PJ_001 on June 23, 2007)</font>

[BRF]

Well, I'm going to put a vote in for my old pal, Steve Smith.......anybody out there from Old Fort where he got his start?

I will put in another vote for a real hard nosed old style coach who I believe someone said did things back in the day that would be considered not very acceptable in today's world.........Charlie Huggins

edit: and I don't mean anything illegal, I just mean totally basketball focused that probably wouldn't fly today

<font size="-2">(Message edited by BRF13 on June 23, 2007)</font>

[steelerfan]

Rick Vanmeter from McClain

PJ001- You're correct. WNorth won in 1994. I was at that '95 final, too.

[jrccshoe]

BRF13, Coach Huggins was ahead of his time in many ways. He was probably one of the only coaches in Eastern Ohio to really push the summer basketball "stuff" back in the late 60's/early 70's. His Eastern Ohio Basketball Camp gave his teams (and some others) a huge advantage back then. Of course today if you are a coach &amp; you don't have your team involved in summer ball, well, you won't be coaching for long.

Myron, I believe that WN beat Zanesville in Regionals the year that WN won the title. I didn't mean to step on your toes, but being a young kid at the time it was one of my fondest memories, and was the first time I had ever attended a State Tournament game. Definately a lasting memory...

[therealcomet]

Kortokrax from Kalida