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Metamora: Ultimate destination

Much-traveled basketball coach happy to be ‘home'

By GREG STEWART (gstewart@pjstar.com)
of the Journal Star
Posted Nov 24, 2008 @ 08:46 PM

METAMORA — Arguably the best high school athletics program in the Journal Star area might get a little better this winter.

Metamora has emerged as the most consistent performer among the Peoria area's two major prep conferences, as evidenced by its recent run of Mid-Illini all-sports trophies. But the Woodford County school hasn't had much success in boys basketball.

The Redbirds probably won't win a Mid-Illini boys basketball title this season, but don't be surprised if they move in that direction.

Starting with tonight's season opener against Notre Dame at the Canton Thanksgiving tournament, a new era begins for Metamora basketball. At his seventh school in 15 seasons, Jim Youngman takes over a program that has won at least 20 games in a season just three times in the past 26 years.

If history is any indication, that could change soon.

Creating a winner will start by what the 43-year-old Chillicothe native calls 'changing the culture' of the program and getting in line with the rest of Redbirds athletics. Youngman — part of the 1981 Illinois Valley Central team that upset Manual in a Class AA sectional semifinal — said he's thrilled to be in a building with such a high level of success.

'There are a lot of great coaches here and a lot of committed kids,' Youngman said about his new home. 'It's a great environment to be in.'

Teaching sound fundamentals and demanding intense defense, Youngman has improved each program he's coached.

DePue didn't win 10 games in any of the first five seasons of the 1990s but was 18-6 in Youngman's second season, '95-96.

His second stop, at Sullivan, resulted in a Class A regional title in 1997 and an 18-6 record the following season.

Youngman inherited a solid program at Abingdon after the unexpected death of former coach Jim O'Flaherty in 1998. Under Youngman, the Commandos really took off, with 75 victories in three years.

Youngman left Abingdon for Highland. The Bulldogs were 6-17 the year before his arrival, 14-10 in their first year under Youngman.

From there, he took over a Springfield Lanphier program one year removed from a 32-2 season that finished with an epic, Class AA state-title loss to Chicago Westinghouse.

Youngman won 17 games, the Springfield City Tournament and a regional title in his first year at Lanphier, then followed it with 18 victories in 2004-05.

'He kept it going,' a Lanphier insider said of Youngman's stint. 'I don't think he wanted to leave.'

Youngman left coaching for a two-year stint as a pharmaceutical salesman. He said the time away from the game allowed him to reconnect with his young family and recharge his batteries. He couldn't stay away for long, however.

Youngman was coaching last season at Oregon, near Rockford, when the Metamora job became available. He said his hire allowed him to realize a professional goal of coaching big-school basketball in the Peoria area.

It also has allowed Youngman's wife and children — Farmington native Lynn, freshman Marissa and fourth-grader A.J. — the opportunity to stay in one place.