Joe Newman said his decision to switch from head coach at Belle Plaine to Wellington was really, really tough
Joe Newman, shown here during a Belle Plaine game, is returning to Wellington.
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — There is a saying that there is “no place like home.” At least that is what is Joe Newman is hoping.
Newman was hired to become the new head basketball coach at Wellington, after four years at Belle Plaine.
“It was a tough decision,” Newman said. “I loved Belle Plaine and saw myself there for a few more years.”
But the Wellington coaching job opened up after Rick Roitman resigned after two years at the helm of the WHS program. Newman decided to make the jump – because, well, you never know when the coaching vacancy will open up again. After all, he has children in elementary. They will be in high school soon.
“Becoming the head coach at Wellington has always been on my bucket list,” Newman said. “I grew up here, I played high school basketball here, my family is here, I teach school here, I live here. It just seemed as if this was an opportunity I shouldn’t pass up.”
Not that Newman wanted to leave Belle Plaine. The Dragons are on a roll. In 2017, Belle Plaine placed fourth in the Class 3A State Tournament. This winter, Belle Plaine reached the regional championship game, only to lose to eventual Class 3A state third place champion Cheney.
The nucleus of the Dragon program is intact with at least six seniors, and a very gifted group of athletes coming up. Newman didn’t take the decision lightly. For 30 days he wavered before eventually choosing Wellington.
“I was going to stay in Belle Plaine, then I wasn’t, then I changed my mind again,” Newman said. “Two years ago when the Wellington coaching job opened up, it was an easier decision because I wanted to stay in Belle Plaine and provide some consistency. My goal was to take this year’s group of seniors through four years. I got them through three.”
Newman realizes things may not come as easily for Wellington. First there is playing in Class 4A. Then there is the annual dancing with Andale and Wichita Collegiate.
But Newman has lived and breathed Wellington basketball most of his life. He is well aware of the nuisances and challenges that is Wellington basketball.
He graduated from Wellington in 2003. It was during a rather baffling time in athletics for Wellington. The Crusaders were winning football championships but were horrendous in basketball.
“I think we won eight games throughout my high school career,” Newman said. “Back then it was always football, football, football.”
After graduating from college, Newman then was hired as an assistant in 2007 and was underneath Brian Buchanan’s wings until taking the Belle Plaine head coaching job.
Still, Newman has is work cut out for him. The Crusaders just graduated two of the three top scorers in WHS history. Both Ian King and A.J. Snipes scored over 1,000 points only the second and third boys to do so behind Darin Miller.
Those two are gone and the league isn’t getting any easier.
Newman said his goal is to bring stability to the basketball program that starts in the high school and filters down to the elementary schools.
“I think next year we will have some athleticism with speed and quickness,” Newman said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
On a side note, Belle Plaine has hired hometown graduate Josh Corbin, Newman’s assistant, to take over as the head coach.
“He will be good for that program,” Newman said.
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Newman is already to start his job running. He will be hosting a boys basketball camp from June 11-13. The schedules is as follows:
9th-12th grade — 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Fee: Free
4th-6th grade — Noon-1:15 p.m.
Fee: $25
7th-8th grade — 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $25.
Grades 4th-6th are encouraged to bring their own basketball.
This camp is designed to help players improve in the fundamentals of the game: dribbling, passing, shooting, defense and team play. Camp instructors will be current coaching staff and players from Wellington HS.
Contact Coach Newman at jnewman@usd353.com for questions, to reserve your spot, and to order shirt. Walk-up enrollment is welcome, but not guaranteed a t-shirt.
