Sandusky names DeMar Moore head basketball coach

SANDUSKY -- DeMar Moore is getting a second shot as a head coach. Moore was approved as Sandusky High School's boys basketball coach at a school board meeting Tuesday morning. He said he was offered the job Monday night by SHS athletic director Shawn Coakley. Moore was at an open gym when he took the call. "It seems like it's the only place I'm at these days," Moore said Tuesday morning. "I was humbly excited. It was a great, great feeling." Moore takes over for Colin Irish, who retired from coaching after a successful seven-year run during which he compiled a record of 125-41. Irish was the first person Moore called after receiving the offer to coach his alma mater. Moore, who has been an assistant coach for the Blue Streaks for five seasons, is a 1995 Sandusky graduate who went on to enjoy a standout college basketball career at Bowling Green State University. Moore thanked Irish and other coaching mentors, including former SHS coach John Schlessman, Fremont Ross coach John Cahill and former Bowling Green coaches Dan Dakich and Jim Larranaga. Moore said Dakich, now a color analyst for ESPN, called Sandusky administrators on his behalf. Coakley was the AD at Sandusky in 2012 when Moore was named head coach but resigned before ever drawing up a play after being charged with no physical control of his car. Moore said he submitted a letter of resignation nine years ago because he didn't want to be a distraction to the program. "I had to rebuild my character and face it head-on," he said. "I didn't let it define me. It was a mistake, and the way I responded showed my character and I think the higher-ups appreciated that. "I could've quit basketball and started another career, but I said, 'I'm going to work though it and become a head coach.' Now that time has come ... Nine years." Moore said the incident that led to his resignation came up during the interview process. He has been transparent about the incident as his role with the Blue Streaks has become more prominent. "It came up (in his interviews) and I addressed it," he said. "I owed it to the community to step back and work through it and get to this point. Lord willing, I'm here. Now it's time to develop a first-class program at Sandusky. "With me being from here I think I can take it to another level." Moore was a highly visible member of the Blue Streaks staff this past season when Irish missed several games due to COVID-19, and it was rumored for months that Moore would take over the program. Moore said this past season helped him in his quest to become a head coach. "People got a chance to see what I could do," he said. "I've never been in the spotlight on Friday night, but people were able to see me interact with the kids and that helped show what kind of coach I was. I think it did help a lot." Coakley observed the staff closely last season, knowing that it was possible he would have to hire a replacement for Irish, who will remain at the high school as an assistant principal. He was impressed by what he saw in Moore. "He's obviously matured as a coach in all capacities," Coakley said. "He's proven his value to the program. Time has proven that he's worthy of this opportunity. Coach is ready." Moore went through a three-step interview process that concluded with a one-on-one meeting Monday with Sandusky Schools superintendent Dr. Eugene Sanders. "My goal was to show my passion for Sandusky basketball," Moore said. "Anyone who knows me knows I'm kind of a laid-back guy, but when it comes to working with kids, they know I'm passionate." Coakley said Moore was one of six coaches invited to interview for the job. Four coaches went through the process. "We had numerous applications from all over Ohio and adjoining states," Coakley said. "We were very pleased with the pool of applicants." Coakley, who was part of the search committee, said Moore's five-year stint on Irish's staff helped him land the big job. "The great thing about DeMar is he's a basketball junkie and loves the game," Coakley said. "He's extremely passionate about the kids and what it can provide student-athletes long term. "He knows the program and the kids. He's invested in the community." Moore, who is the director of program services at Ability Works, already has his staff in place. Varsity assistant Dustin Nejedly, JV coach Brent Maillard and freshman coach John Winborn will return. None of them applied for the top job, choosing to line up behind Moore. "It shows how tight the staff is," Moore said. Moore is adding Issian Redding to the varsity staff. Redding is a Sandusky graduate who played at Murray State under Mick Cronin. Also, Patrick Phillips, who recently resigned as Huron's girls varsity coach, has agreed to join the staff in a volunteer role. Phillips played at Bowling Green. Moore also coaches three AAU teams for North Coast Showtime and said he wants parents and players to understand what off-season basketball can do for their development. "A lot of kids and parents don't know what to expect from AAU, and when we meet I want them to understand that," Moore said. "Very few kids from AAU end up at a big school. Some parents are like, 'My kid scored 20 points in an AAU game, he's going to Duke.' "No, he's in fifth grade and he might not grow. You play AAU ball to get better and work on your skills for your school team." Moore said by Tuesday morning he had received more than 100 calls and texts and countless messages on Facebook since his hiring was announced. "My phone starting blowing up when it was approved," Moore said. "Word got out quick." Moore has three children with his wife, Latoya, including DeMar Jr., who will be a junior for the Blue Streaks next season. The new coach will now guide the program through the summer, which includes camps, shootouts and sessions in the weight room. Moore said he wants to build on the discipline Irish instilled in the program while raising the excitement level in the community. Attendance at the Big House has dropped in recent years despite the program's success, which included a 23-2 record two seasons ago. "I definitely want to keep (what Irish built) and I want the community to get a little more excited," Moore said. "With some of the teams we've had, for us not to be one of the biggest things going on a Friday night ... I want to get it back to where the gym was standing-room only."