By Greg Halbleib

NORMAL – An assistant in the Normal West boys basketball program is the choice to become its next head coach.

Ed Hafermann has been an assistant to Brian Cupples for the past 11 years. Normal West athletic director Stan Lewis said a committee of players, parents and coaches assisted in the selection of Hafermann to succeed Cupples, who resigned last month after 17 years as the Wildcats’ head coach.

“His knowledge of X’s and O’s is outstanding, and he will continue to set high expectations for our student-athletes on the court, off the court, and in the classroom,” Lewis said in a release.  “Coach Hafermann is a detailed practice planner and will carry that ability into coordinating all aspects of our boys basketball program.  He will help our student-athletes develop life-long skills for their future beyond high school and sports.  We are confident that the program is in good hands under his direction.”

Hafermann played two seasons at Black Hawk College before earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State University. He has been a middle school teacher in Unit 5 for 16 years. He thanked Lewis, Cupples and West principal Dave Johnson.

“Normal West is an awesome school that has great students who are led by a top notch staff and supported by great families,” Hafermann said. “I look forward to what the future holds for this program and am excited to help our athletes build character and instill a work ethic that will prepare them for success both on and off the court.”

Hafermann’s selection is subject to approval by the Unit 5 board.

Another new area head coach spent time on the playing floor at Redbird Arena. Todd Kagel takes over the boys basketball program at Tri-Valley after approval by the district’s board Wednesday night. Jon Nelson resigned in March after 14 seasons leading the Vikings.

Kagel was a four-year guard at Illinois State, playing under coach Bob Bender from 1989 to 1993.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].