Isiah Carson
SPRINGFIELD — During a February interview about returning to Springfield, Isiah Carson said, “I want to be the head coach at Springfield High School someday.”
The former South star and Wildcats’ assistant coach didn’t have to wait long.
Carson has been recommended as Springfield High School’s new head boys basketball coach, the school announced Thursday. Pending board approval, he will be the Springfield’s third head coach in as many seasons.
Carson, 25, joined the program as an assistant coach last year. Before that, he had a long and successful basketball career: He graduated from South High School in 2004 and was named the Greater Western Ohio Conference Player of the Year. He played college ball at St. Bonaventure and then Miami University, and he graduated from there in 2009.
“This shows that anything is possible, especially when you do the right thing,” Carson said. “If you keep your nose clean and if you go after your dreams, anything is possible. I feel like I’m a walking success story for what I’ve been through in life. If I can do it, anybody can do it.”
Carson replaces Darnell Hoskins, who resigned in August to take the head coaching position at Thurgood Marshall High School in Dayton. Carson and four other applicants interviewed last week.
“I’m extremely happy,” said Chris Shaffer, the high school athletic director. “Not only is he a good hire, he’s a good person.”
Carson will need to move quickly — official practice begins Nov. 5 and the first game is Dec. 4 at Hamilton. He said a meeting for potential players is scheduled for Monday. Carson does have the advantage of being with the program throughout the offseason.
“People say we’re behind, but I don’t buy that,” Carson said. “I’ve been working these kids out for the past six weeks. I’m getting these kids ready for the season.”
Carson has some high goals for the Wildcats. They finished 14-9 last season and advanced to the Division I sectional final. “I want to see us grow together as a team, for us to improve individually on and off the court and to win more games than we won last year,” he said.
He’s also thinking long-term: “I want to gather all the things that I’ve grown up and seen and put it all together and turn Springfield into a powerhouse.”
Carson is a substitute teacher in the district. He is continuing his education to obtain a teaching license.
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