Bob Sandall is returning to head coaching duties.
Sandall, who coached girls basketball at Kentwood in the 1980s and at Kentlake from 1999-2001, announced last Friday that he has accepted the opening at Kentridge High. He has spent the last six years at Kentridge as the assistant girls basketball coach to Mark Champoux.
“After six years, I am at a different point with my family,” said Sandall. “I never planned on head coaching again, but the kids coming back are the key reason I thought I should give this a shot. There were certainly more reasons to take the job than to not. Everything just fell into place. I think we can make it happen here.”
Sandall will be taking over for Champoux, who stepped down shortly after the season. Champoux spent four seasons at the helm of the Kentridge program, posting a 19-61 overall record. Champoux noted that balancing coaching and family simply became too tall of an order. With two children already (3 and 12) and another on the way, Champoux’s priorities were at home.
Sandall will be taking over a team that went 1-19 overall this past winter, but that returns several key pieces.
The biggest step right now is getting the girls to believe they can win, the new coach said.
“Changing the way the girls look at themselves and the team (is key),” he said. “Trying to generate the enthusiasm, spirit and team-first attitude that it takes to be successful (is the first task). The kids will have to play together as a team. I feel it’s a group of kids who can do that.”
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