West Aurora has found its man to replace legendary coach Gordie Kerkman, who retired last month after 39 years of leading the basketball program.
As the “recommended candidate” and with the approval of the West Aurora School Board next Monday night, Kaneland head coach Brian Johnson will take over the West Aurora program.
Johnson, who was once an assistant coach at West Aurora, has led Kaneland to respectability in his six seasons as coach. Prior to Johnson’s arrival, Kaneland basketball had won 17 or more games just four times in the previous 30 years. Johnson has won 17 or 18 games four different times in his six seasons in leading the program.
He’s compiled a record of 99-68 in six seasons, with regional championships –– the first for Kaneland basketball in over a decade –– in 2012 and 2014. This past season Kaneland finished 14-16.
Johnson takes over for an iconic coaching legend and inherits a program that is coming off three sectional championships in the past four years. Although the program was hit hard by graduation, the sophomore team went 25-0 while freshman Cameron Donatlan was playing at the varsity level.
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