Coaches Shine as Teams Exceed Preseason Expectations

Several high school basketball coaches have guided their teams to surprising success this season.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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As the high school basketball regular season winds down, there are a number of coaches who have led their teams beyond preseason expectations. From unranked squads climbing the rankings to programs replacing key players, these coaches have demonstrated their ability to maximize talent and guide their teams to impressive records and potential conference titles.

Why it matters

The Coach of the Year award recognizes the top high school basketball coaches who have done the best job of developing their teams and getting the most out of their players. These coaches have all shown an ability to adapt to roster changes, instill team-first mentalities, and lead their programs to success that exceeds outside perceptions.

The details

Coaches like Mike Bailey of St. Patrick, Brandin Brown of Homewood-Flossmoor, Mike Dunn of York, and Eric Millstone of Palatine have all guided their teams to strong seasons despite losing key players from last year. Meanwhile, veteran coaches like Gene Heidkamp of Benet, Tom Kleinschmidt of DePaul Prep, and Mike Oliver of Curie have continued to maintain their programs' winning ways despite high expectations and roster turnover.

  • The high school basketball regular season is in its final week.
  • The postseason will begin soon, providing more opportunities for coaches to bolster their Coach of the Year resumes.

The players

Mike Bailey

Head coach of the St. Patrick Shamrocks, who have exceeded preseason expectations with a 23-4 record and are contending for a league title.

Brandin Brown

First-year head coach of the Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings, who have compiled a 25-3 record despite returning only one starter.

Gene Heidkamp

Head coach of the top-ranked Benet Redwings, who have dominated despite losing two Division I players from last season's state championship team.

Tom Kleinschmidt

Head coach of the DePaul Prep Rams, who are seeking a fourth straight state championship while playing in the state's largest class for the first time.

Mike Oliver

Head coach of the Curie Condors, whose program has maintained its consistent success with a 24-1 record this season.

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What they’re saying

“Yes, Evanston was ranked in the preseason top 25. But remember, the Wildkits were replacing four starters from last year's team that reached the 4A state semifinals. The Wildkits have 23 wins and ran away with the CSL South while earning a No. 2 sectional seed.”

— Mike Ellis, Head Coach, Evanston (suntimes.com)

“It's about maximizing talent, and perhaps no one has done a better job of it than Millstone. The Pirates don't boast scholarship-type talent, yet here they are with a sparkling 25-4 record. They play smart, decisive basketball and don't beat themselves, thanks in large part to the veteran coach of 18 years.”

— Eric Millstone, Head Coach, Palatine (suntimes.com)

What’s next

The postseason will provide these coaches with more opportunities to bolster their Coach of the Year resumes as their teams compete for state championships.

The takeaway

This season's Coach of the Year race highlights the ability of top high school basketball coaches to develop their players, instill team-first mentalities, and guide their programs to success that exceeds outside expectations, regardless of roster turnover or preseason rankings.