LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Before taking the reigns of the Mayo Middle School boys basketball program in the spring of 2023, Shawn Nugent was uncertain he’d ever coach again. After 19 years of coaching at the high school level, the joy he once felt holding a clipboard and whistle had gradually disappeared.
Fast-forward to December 2024, and the Paris native has two conference championships in back-to-back seasons (one tournament and one regular season, both program firsts) and a 27-1 record between his teams so far this year.
On top of that, Nugent’s success recently earned him an opportunity he had yet to receive during his 21 years of experience—the chance to coach in an all-star game. In early March, Nugent will take the court at Lincoln Junior High School in Lincoln, Ill., as part of the 2025 All-State Junior High Classic.
“Anytime you get a chance to coach in an all-star game or something like that, it's a pretty high honor,” Nugent told a Prairie Press reporter. “So I was excited about that.”
According to event co-director David Kasel, the All-State Classic was established in 2018 as “an opportunity for the top players in the state to compete against others from other regions. "
“It has been a source of fun, pride and motivation for players, parents and coaches,” Kasel added.
Paris residents would likely recognize several All-State Junior High Classic coaching alums, like current PCHS girls basketball coach Dave Tingley, assistant coach Missy Tingley and Mayo girls basketball coach Adam Vilk.
While there are no strict criteria coaches and players must meet for the event, Kasel and his team pursue “coaches who have had a lot of success at the junior level in the state tournament and in their area.”
Given the Redbirds’ recent success, Nugent falls into that category.
“We are thrilled to have Coach Nugent coach this year. We love to have coaches of his caliber involved in the event,” Kasel said.
Kasel also seeks out “the top players in the state.” Previous classes have included Cole Certa and Ty Pence, who are playing at Notre Dame and Illinois State this season, respectively.
Joining Nugent in Lincoln will be Mayo’s Charlie Yalden and Crestwood’s Marcus Hutchings, who have both enjoyed stellar eighth-grade campaigns so far.
Nugent received confirmation of his nomination in early December, just before an official announcement was made via social media on Dec. 31. Last season, two of his players, Levi Bartley and Yalden, participated in the All-State Classic, and Nugent was approached by event organizers interested in having him return to coach in 2025.
Nugent’s excitement stems not only from the prestige of the invitation but also from the unique challenge posed by the event's format.
“You come in and you get a couple of days, one practice with them (players) and then you're rolling and playing some games. So that's just a different challenge, which was exciting,” Nugent said.
Nugent has already enjoyed plenty of success in his career, netting eight seasons with 20 wins or more, two conference titles and two regional championships in 10 years (six as an assistant coach, four as the head coach) at Chrisman High School. In nine years at Paris, Nugent led the Tigers to the school’s first sectional championship and state tournament appearance in 43 seasons, as well as a pair of regional championships. Nugent was also named the IBCA District 14 Coach of the Year during the 2013-14 season.
The opportunity to mentor some of the state’s brightest young stars in the All-State Junior High Classic rivals some of the other highlights of his career, but Nugent’s focus remains on the success of his team.
“From an individual standpoint, it's up there … Obviously, I would rather our team have more success going forward to finish out the year,” he said. “I would gladly sacrifice this for our team to win some regionals and maybe bring some hardware to Mayo.”
Nugent considers himself a “player’s coach,” a role that demands different hats on different days. What stays consistent, however, is his desire to see his players grow.
“I'm hard on them (the players), but they also know that I'm the first guy that's going to praise them,” he said, later adding, “I don't think kids learn anything by you letting them repeatedly make mistakes over and over again, and they need to know. But, I'm also the first guy that's going to be rah-rah-ing and clapping and telling them when they do things good.”
While practices are high-energy and fast-paced, adding friendly competition and gamifying certain drills keeps players engaged and spirits high.
“If you're serious and just yelling and screaming the whole time, it kind of drags everybody down, even yourself. You never want to come into a practice and not have fun,” he added.
According to Nugent, who teaches physical education and health at Mayo Middle School, being a player-first coach also means building relationships outside of practice and games. Checking in with his athletes in the halls and the classroom builds cohesion and credibility.
“That goes a long way, you know, establishing relationships with them. Then they'll work hard for you, and you don't have to worry about being a jerk every day at practice. You can have fun,” he said.
Nugent’s balanced approach manifests itself in the content he shares with his players during practices and games, not just his tone. He hopes his players don’t just walk away with basketball knowledge, but life knowledge; understanding how to play is important. Understanding how to work as a team, prepare for a challenge, overcome adversity and work hard to reach goals is priceless.
“As far as being a mentor and a coach, I think you've got to teach those things,” he said.
Balancing intensity with fun has not just benefitted Nugent’s players, but Nugent himself. Despite his success at the high school level, he found himself feeling burnt out by the time he passed the baton at PCHS.
“It’s fun again … I think I kind of lost that in all the seriousness of what it means to be the coach at Paris High School,” he explained. “I think I've kind of come back to the point where I'm having fun with it (coaching) again.”
After a four-year hiatus, Nugent was encouraged by co-workers and students to apply for the coaching job at Mayo. Despite initial reservations, he started working with players individually, ultimately deciding he could “do this and have some more fun.”
Later that season, in a locker room full of emotional players and coaches who had just lost a hard-fought regional championship game against Tuscola East Prairie, Nugent realized he’d made the right call.
“(I was) crying with them right there at the end of the regional last year, thanking them for everything they did for me. Because it was huge for me, it got me back to who I kind
of was,” he said.
So far, the Redbirds are absorbing Nugent's formula for success, both on the court and off. Many of the schemes and sets he uses come from the playbook he developed for use in IHSA play. Part of his playbook was drafted alongside former Chrisman head coach and current Mahomet-Seymour High School principal Chad Benedict.
“I wouldn't be where I was without him,” Nugent said of Benedict. “He was a great guy to be underneath, as far as knowing the game and the X's and O's, and just from strictly a preparation standpoint, he was the most prepared guy … I've ever been around in the game of basketball.”
After simplifying some of his offenses and throwing some out altogether, Nugent found his first eighth-grade class to be “sponges,” who soaked up their new coach’s playstyle. They also soaked up the culture he sought to establish in Redbird basketball.
“I give a lot of credit to that team last year. I mean, they've really kind of taken our culture and set it within the kids,” he said.
Per Nugent, this year’s team has followed in the footsteps of their predecessors.
“We don't make practice easy. I mean, practice is tough, and I know I'm hard on them, but I'm thankful for them and the sacrifice they put in daily, and how hard they play for me,” he said. “It's so appreciated; they have no idea how important that is to me and how important they are to me.”
Typical of a “player’s coach,” Nugent credits his team with the success he’s experienced in his return to coaching.
“You win games with good kids, and we have really good kids at Mayo, and I'm thankful for that,” Nugent said.
Fans can catch Nugent in action at the All-State Junior High Classic starting Sunday, March 2, at Lincoln Junior High School, located at 208 Broadway Street in Lincoln, Ill. Nugent will likely coach the SE Central team, including Hutchings and Yalden. Each team will play a minimum of three games.
Admission is $5 on Sunday, and free on Saturday, March 1, for the skills competition. For more information, visit www.allstateclassic.leagueapps.com.