Coach’s Q&A with Dana Noble, H-F basketball
September 20, 2012 4:28PM
Homewood-Flossmoor girls basketball coach Dana Noble. | John Smierciak~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: October 24, 2012 6:08AM
Dana Noble is heading into his third season as head coach of the Homewood-Flossmoor girls varsity basketball team.
When did you first start teaching and coaching at Homewood-Flossmoor? Where did you go to high school and college?
I started teaching math and coaching basketball at Homewood-Flossmoor in the fall of 1997. I coached freshman boys for nine years until becoming the varsity girls assistant coach. After four years as varsity girls assistant, I became the head coach. This will be my third year as the head coach. I graduated from Providence Catholic High School in 1992 and Millikin University in 1996. I have since earned two master’s degrees from Governors State University.
Why/how did you originally get into coaching?
Teaching and coaching was something I knew I wanted to do in high school. I enjoyed the school setting, and I loved the game of basketball. While I was in high school, I coached basketball at my elementary school, and at that point I knew I wanted to pursue a career in which I could teach and coach.
Have you seen high school sports change since you started coaching? If so, how?
I have seen more specialization in a particular sport vs. the multisport athlete. I have also seen many sports added by the IHSA giving students more opportunities to compete.
If you had free rein to do so, would you change anything about basketball in the IHSA? High school sports in general?
I would reduce the number of classes in basketball. I would prefer a three-class system that has small, medium, and large schools.
Any favorite game, memory, player, practice story?
My favorite memory was the 2003-2004 H-F boys basketball team that was the runner-up in the state. It was a great team and program to be a part of.
Players like playing certain teams/opponents. Do you have a favorite match/rivalry you look forward to?
Every year I look forward to playing our neighborhood rival, Hillcrest, early in the season. The intensity in the gym for that game is always high.
Is there any coach you model yourself after — pro, college, high school or otherwise?
Two coaches stand out to me. First, my high school coach Dick Mandella. He taught me the game of basketball from a young age. Second, Roy Condotti, the head coach at Homewood-Flossmoor when I began there. Roy gave me my first high school coaching opportunity at the freshman boys level. I used that opportunity to learn about the game and coaching from a very well-respected veteran coach.
On the sidelines, what are you most proud of as a coach?
Seeing my players give their all in practice and games and then seeing them be successful on the court and in life.
As told to Tim O’Brien
