Wisecup selected to lead McClain basketball
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD — Joe Wisecup has been selected as the new McClain boys basketball head coach, as he was approved by the Greenfield Exempted Village School Board, Monday.
Wisecup, a '76 graduate of MHS, has had two stints as an assistant for the Tigers boys varsity basketball team and was the varsity boys basketball coach at Paint Valley for a two-season period in the mid-90s.
Wisecup, who teaches sixth grade science, said he's looking forward to this opportunity, as he's replacing Brent Eaton, who led the Tigers for the past four seasons. MHS finished with a record of 10-13 last season.
[[In-content Ad]]"I was born and raised here (in Greenfield), and coming into a proven program historically, I want to maintain what Rick (VanMatre) and Brent (Eaton) have built," Wisecup said.
"It's been a privilege and an honor to coach here, especially with the tradition here. I want to build on that. The community is always supportive of the team, and hopefully we'll give them good basketball appropriate of that support."
The mild-mannered coach isn't a stranger to the program, though, as he's been a part of the success of the Tigers. He first became a coach in the school system in '84 as the seventh grade coach. From there, he became a varsity assistant in the fall of '88 and stayed at that post until the '96-97 season.
For the two seasons of '96-97 and '97-98, Wisecup was the head coach at PV. Following his tenure as the Bearcats' head coach, he took two years away from basketball, returning to coaching in '01, again, as an assistant at MHS, staying there ever since.
"The main thing going in as the head coach is this is an established program, and I already know the kids," Wisecup said. "I may tweak a few things, but I know the community, and we have great kids in the program.
"They are coachable, and I expect them to continue to work hard."
Though he wasn't sure who exactly will be on his coaching staff yet, Wisecup spoke about what type of basketball he wants his team to play.
"My background in coaching is like Rick's (VanMatre) in I want to coach man-to-man, a motion type of offense," he said. "Next season here, we'll have to mix in some zone."
Wisecup also spoke more about his style of coaching and what he's learned from those before him.
"Everybody is different in how they coach," he said. "I'm more of a laidback coach, but a lot of that comes from being the assistant. You have to be more vocal when you are the head coach.
"Through the years, what I learned from Rick was to keep the game simple and get the kids to understand their roles on the team. I want the kids to play intelligently."
When asked what is like to be head coach of the Tigers, Wisecup said it will be a different experience.
"It has been a long time since I've been a head coach, but the best approach I have with the team is to get the very best out of the kids," he said. "A lot of the kids have played since they were sophomores, so they aren't a young group to coach.
"I want to thank the administration for this opportunity and the community for their support."
Wisecup, a '76 graduate of MHS, has had two stints as an assistant for the Tigers boys varsity basketball team and was the varsity boys basketball coach at Paint Valley for a two-season period in the mid-90s.
Wisecup, who teaches sixth grade science, said he's looking forward to this opportunity, as he's replacing Brent Eaton, who led the Tigers for the past four seasons. MHS finished with a record of 10-13 last season.
[[In-content Ad]]"I was born and raised here (in Greenfield), and coming into a proven program historically, I want to maintain what Rick (VanMatre) and Brent (Eaton) have built," Wisecup said.
"It's been a privilege and an honor to coach here, especially with the tradition here. I want to build on that. The community is always supportive of the team, and hopefully we'll give them good basketball appropriate of that support."
The mild-mannered coach isn't a stranger to the program, though, as he's been a part of the success of the Tigers. He first became a coach in the school system in '84 as the seventh grade coach. From there, he became a varsity assistant in the fall of '88 and stayed at that post until the '96-97 season.
For the two seasons of '96-97 and '97-98, Wisecup was the head coach at PV. Following his tenure as the Bearcats' head coach, he took two years away from basketball, returning to coaching in '01, again, as an assistant at MHS, staying there ever since.
"The main thing going in as the head coach is this is an established program, and I already know the kids," Wisecup said. "I may tweak a few things, but I know the community, and we have great kids in the program.
"They are coachable, and I expect them to continue to work hard."
Though he wasn't sure who exactly will be on his coaching staff yet, Wisecup spoke about what type of basketball he wants his team to play.
"My background in coaching is like Rick's (VanMatre) in I want to coach man-to-man, a motion type of offense," he said. "Next season here, we'll have to mix in some zone."
Wisecup also spoke more about his style of coaching and what he's learned from those before him.
"Everybody is different in how they coach," he said. "I'm more of a laidback coach, but a lot of that comes from being the assistant. You have to be more vocal when you are the head coach.
"Through the years, what I learned from Rick was to keep the game simple and get the kids to understand their roles on the team. I want the kids to play intelligently."
When asked what is like to be head coach of the Tigers, Wisecup said it will be a different experience.
"It has been a long time since I've been a head coach, but the best approach I have with the team is to get the very best out of the kids," he said. "A lot of the kids have played since they were sophomores, so they aren't a young group to coach.
"I want to thank the administration for this opportunity and the community for their support."