Micetich to lead Coaler boys basketball

Joe Micetich has been named new head coach of the Coal City High School varsity boys basketball team.

Micetich’s appointment was announced last week following the Unit 1 Board of Education’s approval. He succeeds Tyler Schoonover who is leaving the district after one year of teaching and coaching.

Micetich previously served as the Coaler’s sophomore coach and was a two- year junior varsity coach at Dwight High School before joining the CCHS staff as a math teacher in the 2019.

Harlan Kennell will assist Micetich, a position being vacated by Seth Schoonover.

Kennell, a business education teacher at the high school, was the seventh grade basketball coach at the middle school.

At its meeting last week, the Board also took action on a recommendation from athletic director Dan Hutchings to name Michael Kostbade as the district’s first head middle school soccer coach. He currently serves as an assistant for the high school girls soccer team.

Sarah Cyrkiel has been named his assistant coach for the 2023 season.

Earlier this year, the Board agreed to pilot a middle school program for students in grades six to eight.

The soccer program will be financially supported by the Coal City Soccer League for the next three years.

Board members also approved Emily Halliday as an assistant high school track coach and accepted the extra-curricular resignations of Lauren Basham, sixth grade softball coach; Stephanie Vuscko, seventh grade softball coach; and Branden Peterson, head middle school wrestling coach.