It isn’t easy to get a Coach of the Year award in any sport for a single season. But to get it in back-to-back seasons is a special achievement. That’s the case with Trinity High School basketball coach Kim Coleman, who was announced last week as the District 4 Coach of the Year by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. To say Coleman is grateful would be an understatement.
“It feels so blessed to be recognized,” said Coleman, who also won the award last year. “I wasn’t expecting it, honestly, but it’s always nice to be recognized for the hard work you put in as a coach. But it doesn’t happen without your assistant coaches and players.”
Coleman credited her assistants, Arthur Jefferson, Lykendra Johnson, Rich Kudelka, and Arianna Raimonde, as the main reason for this season’s success. Johnson and Raimonde are former Trinity stars, while Kudelka was the head coach during Coleman’s playing days at now-closed Luther North in Chicago.
“This doesn’t happen without their support,” said Coleman. “They matter.”
Despite losing several key players from the previous season to graduation, Trinity finished 20-14 and reached an IHSA Class 3A sectional final for the third consecutive year. The Blazers were led by senior Lauren Miller (University of Chicago signee) and sophomores Zaria Goins and Chloe Santos.
“I’ve known Lauren since she was in fifth grade,” Coleman said. “Having kids like that come in and set the tone, while putting in the work, makes it easier for me as a coach. It’s definitely a family function; we’ve all bought in together and done what it takes.”
Next year will present Coleman with a challenge as Miller departs. But Goins and Santos, along with rising sophomore Destiny Sacluti and rising seniors Jaylani Hernandez and Ariana Rodriguez, provide Trinity a good foundation.
“You can’t replace Lauren and her work ethic,” Coleman said. “But when Makiyah Williams (now at the University of Illinois Chicago) left, we figured it out. Next person up at this point.”
Coleman also thanked Trinity athletic director Ken Trendel for his support.
“Ken, hands down, is the best person I’ve ever worked with,” she said. “His support is unmatched. He supports me in everything I do, and he trusts me with how I run my program. I could not ask for a better athletic director.”