Springfield interviews five candidates for boys basketball job

Springfield High School is interviewing five candidates for its vacant head boys basketball coaching position.

The candidates are:

• Wildcats interim coach Matt Yinger

• Former Grove City coach Greg Waits

• Former Dublin Jerome coach Jamie Pearson

• Richmond (Ind.) coach Mohammad Khaliq

• Thurgood Marshall coach Shawn McCullough

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More than 25 applied for the position, said Wildcats athletic director Mike Dellapina. The school hopes to have the position filled by the end of the month.

“The SHS Athletic Department received many qualified applicants with various levels of experience for the position of Boys Head Basketball Coach, but ultimately we must determine who will be the best fit for Springfield High,” Dellapina said. “As we are tasked to finalize candidates for consideration, we are committed to hiring an individual willing to give their all to the program, someone with high character, high energy and passion for success. Their love for the sport must complement their commitment to our student-athletes who deserve nothing but the best.”

The Wildcats have won at least 18 games in five of the last six seasons and have advanced to the D-I regionals three times.

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Last winter, Springfield’s basketball program got off to a late start as the football season extended into late November for the first time in school history. The team also faced adversity in mid-January when longtime coach Isaiah Carson was placed on leave after being arrested for domestic violence. He later resigned from his post.

The Wildcats were 4-9 on Jan. 21, but won eight of their last 12 games to finish the season 12-13 under Yinger, falling to Beavercreek in a D-I district semifinal game.

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