A new feature at Outside the Huddle during basketball season, we will connect with area coaches on occasion to get their takes on big wins, huge matchups upcoming and more.
This week, we tracked down Concordia Lutheran boys head coach Phil Brackmann.
Q: It is very early in the season, but how have you prepared for the adjustments in having a pretty new team?
We’ve had to go back to the basics. We have had a pretty nice pipeline year in and year out. We are now having to play some younger guys that we normally can give them another year to develop. Now that we are young and small, we have to learn to compete against size and strength that we see in the SAC and the other large schools.
Q: What does the carryover from a Sectional title mean to you and your returners? Does it add any energy for them to know the expectation to get back to?
It was a great accomplishment to finally cut down the nets last season. You watched a group of guys that played hard, sacrificed individual opportunities, and believed in the process. You could argue that it wasn’t the most talented group we’ve had, but I will argue they were the hardest working and played with so much heart. Only having two returns, they continue to lead and encourage on what it takes to get to the next level. Just like last year, we need to continue to get better day in and day out.
Q: What makes Concordia so special in your eyes as someone who has been part of the school and the program for so long?
The tradition and relationships that are formed. Experiencing the renovations that have taken place with the locker room, gym floor, and bleachers. Connecting with some of the Concordia greats through those renovation projects: Tom Baack, the 1948 team, and the Eugene Parker family. And now connecting with so many former players and seeing them getting into coaching and passing that legacy down is pretty special. We have a handful of CLHS grads coaching around the city, plus I have four former players on my own staff.
Q: When you meet with Noah [Trent] and Will [Schlegel] what is your message to them as seniors?
We talked about legacy and continuing what was started before them. They got to learn and grow from older players on what’s the “Concordia Way” to play. Now it’s their turn to lead and leave a legacy for a new generation. And there are no 2 better young men to do it. They are not only gym rats when it comes to getting better. They are multi-sport studs, excelling in opportunities not a lot of kids get (Noah a two year football starter in the SAC and Will an All-State Cross Country runner). They are great young men, who get good grades, make good decisions, and are kind and helpful to people.
Q: What is the biggest change in the game you’ve seen in your 7 years leading the Cadets in the game, in the program or in the conference? What is the biggest change you’d like to see going forward?
I think the biggest change is just the ability to see young players contribute on the varsity level for SAC/3A/4A teams. There are a lot of good basketball players in NE Indiana in my 7 years. So seeing success from such young players is pretty impressive.
I think the transfer/NIL you see in college has started to trickle into high school athletics. Team dynamics can change pretty quickly from year to year (just ask IU football). I’m not sure what the fix is but I feel less invested in college sports and I would hate to see this in our high schools.
Q: Do you, in fact, have the best beard in Northeast Indiana basketball coaching?
Once the first week of practice hits, the beard comes back. Behind every good beard is an excellent barber (shout out Bryan Conrad @ Post Modern Barbershop). I told the team last year they can design the look if we won a Sectional. So after a few suggestions, we settled on a Wolverine look. I’d extend the challenge of Best Coaching Beard in NE Indiana. Coaches that I’d like to see challenge me: 1) Marty Beasley 2) JJ Foster 3) Brandon Durnell.
But yes…I think I hold the belt for Best Beard!
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