Gisinger changes to girls basketball coach; Pollock to boys at AHS
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By Mike Monahan
ARCOLA – It is almost November and lemonade and other flavors of shake ups sales have ended. But Arcola High School girls and boys basketball have a shake-up of their own pending Arcola School Board approval at its meeting November 5.
Greg Gisinger, Arcola boys ‘basketball coach, switches to the head coach of the girls team as Corey Roberts moves to an assistant citing wanting to spend more time with his family. Taking Gisinger’s spot is Mitch Pollock, who coached Arcola Junior High boys last season and is 23 years old as he is believed to be the youngest AHS boys basketball coach in the history of the program.
“I am super blessed to be able to achieve my dream of coaching varsity basketball at such a young age,” said Pollock. “For it to be at such a rich sports community like Arcola is even better and I can’t wait to get to work.”
The boys basketball team’s assistant coaches are expected to be Robert Beauchamp, who returns, as well as Mike Shaffer. Larry Eastin will be an assistant coach replacing David Myers. The girls assistant coaches are expected to be Roberts, Craig VanDeveer (returns) and Leslie Karcher.
“This was not a change we had expected or to happen as quickly as it had to with basketball seasons starting in two weeks,” said Arcola athletics director Jason Conn. “I appreciate the different coaches involved for their willingness to make adjustments to their situations. Just like the players involved, it was not what they had envisioned, but I think all parties involved have great attitudes and are looking forward to their new roles. It helps that everyone wants what is best for the students involved and to have the best opportunities and experiences.”
As for Pollock Conn said, “Coach Pollock has a great passion for the game. The team was already getting to know him as he was planning to coach the junior varsity. He is familiar with what coach Gisinger had implemented and has been teaching. He has an understanding of time and commitment and work required to become a successful player or coach. Even though it will be his first varsity coaching experience I think he will be able to handle the challenges that role can bring.”
Conn said of Gisinger,”Coach Gisinger had a great passion for the game of basketball and he has helped establish a successful culture at Arcola with the boys basketball program. He has a great relationship with our students and coaches on both staffs. Coach Gisinger is familiar with what Coach Roberts ran and he will be able to jump right in and keep the girls program in the right direction. Coach Gisinger has hit the ground running and is already starting to have meetings to communicate with the team his vision and help them make the quick adjustment from a coaching change.”
Gisinger
Gisinger has coached the boys basketball team for the past seven years and has a 120-76 (.612) record. He coached at Chrisman as well and in 13 seasons has a 201-141 (.588) record.
“With coach Roberts resigning, there was an obvious need for a head girls basketball coach and there was not an assistant coach in place to take over that position. So after praying about it and discussing it all with my family, trusted friends and colleagues, and school administration, I came to the conclusion that this is what’s best to do in an untimely situation.”
Gisinger, a 2000 grad of Cerro Gordo, told the boys basketball team of the change.
“At first, it was rough with the guys, but once everyone was able to process it, most, if not all of them, have spoken with me and are very understanding and even excited for the new challenge in their own leadership skills.”
Gisinger led the 2023-24 team to a Sweet 16 appearance and finished with a 27-7 mark. Last season Arcola went 24-8. The regional title Arcola won in 2023-24 was the first since 2015-16. Six of his seven seasons were winning campaigns.
Gisinger said the meeting with the girls was awesome.
“They seem excited to get to work,” said Gisigner, who will coach his own daughter, Olivia, when practice starts Nov. 3. “Coaching my own kid is exciting yet nerve-wracking. I just want her to experience joy through the game of basketball.”
Gisinger has coached girls basketball in rec ball and also in rec softball and had a lot of the girls on the basketball team now when they were younger.
“The challenges with taking over the girls program are just like any other program I’ve taken over,” said Gisinger. “I have to build relationships, trust and get them believing to play for a deeper purpose than just the scoreboard.”
As for the transition Gisigner said, “I think that knowing these girls pretty well already, knowing most of their families and then knowing that our boys program has had success will hopefully make the transition a little smoother.”
When asked if he would go back to coaching boys basketball at some point Gisinger, who also has a sixth grader, Lyla, “I won’t rule anything out. If God puts me someday back into coaching boys then I will do it. But for now and the foreseeable future, I plan on making this girls program what it was when coach (Nancy) Stiff had it.”
Gisigner will continue to coach boys and girls golf for Arcola/ALAH.
“The decision was one of the toughest I’ve ever been a part of in my over 20 year career,” said Gisinger. “Selfishly, this makes our family’s schedule aligned and allows more time to spend together, which I will never regret. But I will truly miss being with the guys and the coaches. I love all those guys and will continue to work behind the scenes with them to become better men.”
Pollock
Pollock is a 2020 graduate of Shiloh and played basketball for Tri-County. His first three seasons were under Dave Smith his first three seasons and Cyrus Ferguson, who was another young coach. Pollock was on the final JG-TC All-Area basketball team and went on to play at Millikin under coach Kramer Soderberg where he was a guard/forward.
“Having a meaningful relationship with all of my coaches throughout high school really made me want to be a head coach,” said Pollock. “I knew they cared for me and taught me so many life lessons. I would have run through a brick wall for all of my coaches and I am going to strive to have my players feel the same playing for me.”
When asked if being out of high school that long Pollock said, “I think it helps in the sense of being able to run a basketball program as a whole. I treated last year like I was coaching a college basketball team. So nothing will change this year on how I go about things. I understand the junior high game is much different from the high school game, but I’m going to come in and run things the same way. I am excited to have those freshmen again. That group can be special if they stay together.”
Pollock said he was fortunate to learn a lot about basketball in his time at Millikin.
“I learned a ton of ways to get things done from multiple different coaches and teams in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). I also went through high school playing against coach Gisigner’s Arcola teams for two years and I loved how his team played; physical, intense defense and they always played hard. I also looked up to my dad (Jared Pollock) who had coached football for years. He has the great balance of coaching guys hard and also letting them know he cared about them.”
Roberts
Roberts, a 2012 graduate of Arcola, was 86-39 (.688) in four seasons, including the first Class 1A regional championship last season since 2014-2015. He never had a losing season and the last three were 20 plus winning seasons.
“It was a very tough decision for me,” said Roberts. “I loved being the head for the Arcola Purple Riders. It made it easier handing it over to someone who I really trust and know will do a great job in Coach Gisinger. My kids (Cooper and Camryn) are getting older and it was just the right time to pass it on. I really hope to still be able to help and make an impact on the kids.”
Roberts said coaching for four years means the world to him.
“I feel like one of the most blessed men in the world,” said Roberts.”I had some of the best athletes go through Arcola and even better people and that is the best part. I was also blessed with two assistant coaches that absolutely gave everything they had to the program (VanDeveer and Travis Whisman). Without them we would not have done what we have done the last four years. I can’t thank the parents and athletes for all they have done and for the Arcola administration for giving me the opportunity. These last four years have truly impacted me and I will remember them forever. I hope that I made an impact on the players and that they are grateful for their time as a Purple Rider.”
Conn said of Roberts, “I appreciate everything Corey has done for Arcola. He has coached at the junior high and high school level. When you are not a coach in the building it can be tough to get players, let alone develop winning programs. Coach Gisinger is welcoming coach Roberts as one of his assistants to help keep him involved when he can make it.”