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United Township basketball coach Yount resigns

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By Jon Gremmels | Monday, May 12, 2008 9:52 PM CDT | () comments

Steve Yount isn’t counting out a return to coaching, and he admits that he has talked to Moline about its vacant position, but he is stepping away from the basketball court.

Yount has submitted his resignation as boys basketball coach at United Township to the school board, which met Monday night. But, he plans to remain as a high school physical education teacher at the school — at least for now.

“I guess we’ll see. You never say never anymore,” he said Monday night. “The last time I got out of coaching, I thought it (was for good). I still think I have coaching left in me. Right now, I thought it was in the best interest of UT to do this.”

There had been talk that Yount would step down when the season ended, but he said at that time that he planned to continue.

Yount guided the Panthers to an 18-11 record this past season, with his son Garrett as one of three senior starters. They tied Quincy for the Western Big Six Conference championship, then beat the Blue Devils for the regional title before falling to Edwardsville in the sectional semifinals.

“It was a great year to finish on there,” Yount said. “We did better than expected. The more I thought about it, the more I thought it was a good idea. The timing was right with Garrett graduating to step aside.

In six seasons under Yount, United Township had a 94-68 record.

Yount’s name has been linked to the opening at Moline, and he said that couldn’t be dismissed although he has no plans to leave United Township.

“We’ve had some conversations but nothing certain,” he said. “I’m not sure what direction they are going. It’s nothing I can really comment on, other than to say I have visited with them.”

Moline is seeking a replacement for Jon Nedelcoff, who was fired as coach after his team went 15-9 last season. Moline athletic director Todd Rosenthal had hoped to have a new coach in place well before summer break began but still is looking.

“I’m extremely frustrated at this point, but that’s my job,” Rosenthal said of the search. “We’re quite a way through (the process). We’re trying to make a match of a teacher who meets our needs.”

While he would not provide the particulars, Rosenthal said several candidates had been interviewed, and he said it was possible that someone who already had been interviewed would be hired if the right teaching position was available.

He said it would be at least two weeks before a hire is made.

The opening at United Township is the third for Western Big Six boys basketball programs in the offseason. Besides Nedelcoff and Yount, Jeff Houston was dismissed at Galesburg and was replaced by Mike Reynolds.

Yount said he didn’t know what United Township would do as far as finding his replacement.

“I would love to see one of my assistants get it, but it’s not for me to decide,” he said.

Jon Gremmels can be contacted at (563) 383-2294 or at jgremmels@qctimes.com.