There are many variables when dissecting any candidate for coach of the year. The benchmarks for the ultimate winner and how they’re measured can range from exceeding expectations to getting a great teams to play cohesively to meet lofty expectations.
With several weeks remaining in the regular season, plenty of candidates already have emerged for the honor.
The biggest surprise on this early list is Kenwood’s Joseph Mason, who wasn’t even coaching three months ago.
This season could have gone a number of different ways after the upheaval surrounding the Broncos. But Mason, the assistant principal turned coach in early November, has been a calming force.
There is undoubtedly talent, but there were heavy losses to graduation and a myriad of questions and concerns when Mason entered the picture. But his positivity has permeated throughout the team, and he has weathered the storm, opening with a 21-1 record leading to aspirations for a state title.
Here are four other coaches in the early conversation for coach of the year:
Jamere Dismukes, Homewood-Flossmoor
It’s not easy to build a big winner around newcomers, whether they are transfers or inexperienced returning players. But Dismukes has created a team that has grown over the course of the season and is poised to contend for a state championship again.
The proof? The Vikings took down then-No. 1 DePaul Prep over the weekend to improve to 21-2.
The defending 4A champs returned just one key player, Jayden Tyler, who has put together a stellar senior year.
Nick Latorre, Hinsdale Central
The Red Devils are red hot with 18 consecutive wins and have risen to No. 6 in the Super 25. The two losses came early in the season by a combined five points.
There is a Division I talent — South Dakota recruit Vincas Bazelis — but it’s a 21-2 team that leaves any observer impressed by how they play together. There is clearly a buy-in here as Latorre’s team moves the ball and plays with incredible unselfishness.
Brian Hynes, Marist
The Redhawks started the season outside the preseason top 25. They also had one returning piece, Achilles Anderson, out for the season with a football injury, while promising Stephen Brown missed the first 10 games.
But Marist has climbed to No. 10 in the rankings with a glitzy 21-2 record and are fresh off a week where they beat two ranked teams — rival Brother Rice and previously unbeaten Waubonsie Valley.
Conte Stamas, Brother Rice
The possibility is real for the veteran coach to win 30-plus games for the third consecutive season. The Crusaders are in that position at 19-3 thanks to massive victories against both Bolingbrook and DePaul Prep.
Brother Rice is now a legit contender for the top spot in the Catholic League.
Yes, they were a preseason Super 25 team at No. 23, and there is no doubt the addition of Hinsdale South transfer Jack Weigus has been a boon, but it’s hard to argue that the Crusaders haven’t surpassed expectations to this point by rising to No. 5.