A continuing 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 preseason, we wanted to learn more about some area coaches before their seasons got going. For today, tracked down new DeKalb girls basketball coach Mark Pixley.
Q: What first inspired you to become a basketball coach, and how has your coaching journey evolved over the years?
As a player at Concordia High School in the 1990s, I first thought about becoming a coach when my high school coach, Glenn Parish, pulled me into his office. He told me he hadn’t seen a leader like me since Ricky Hall, and that my teammates followed me because I connected with everyone on the team and played with heart and hustle. That conversation stuck with me. I went on to be named captain of my college team, and that’s where my desire to lead through coaching really grew.
My coaching journey has been a unique one. I started as a Varsity Girls Basketball Coach in San Diego for four years, then spent two years coaching on the boys’ side out there. When I moved back home, I coached boys varsity for two years before spending ten seasons at Bishop Luers. After taking a year off, I realized how much I missed the game, which led me to my current role at DeKalb High School.
Over 18 years of coaching, I’ve experienced both the highs and lows — from winning championships like the CIF San Diego title in 2005 and a State Championship at Luers in 2024, to seasons where we only won three games. I’ve learned that through it all — the love, the criticism, the ups and downs — the most important thing is to keep your focus on improvement and enjoyment of the game. If your team is growing, playing hard, and having fun, that’s what truly matters.
(P.S. — California had a shot clock back in the early 2000s when I was coaching there… come on, IHSAA!)
Q: Who have been some of the biggest influences on your coaching philosophy, and what lessons have they left with you?
Coaches I’ve looked up to from afar include Matt Painter and Tom Izzo — I admire the culture and toughness their teams consistently play with. I also respect Shaka Smart for his ability to connect and relate to the modern player. From each of them, I’ve learned that building relationships and toughness go hand in hand.
Q: How would you describe your coaching style — both on the court and in how you lead your players off of it?
My coaching style is intense between the lines — I demand effort and focus because I want my players and teams to achieve the goals they set. But being intense doesn’t mean being unapproachable. It’s important to show players that you care deeply about them as people. You have to be willing to laugh at yourself, admit when you’re wrong, and share both the highs and lows — the laughter, the tears, and the smiles. That’s what builds trust and true team success.
Q: What’s one lesson or philosophy you try to emphasize to your team every single year, regardless of wins and losses?
Out-hustle every team we play. Be tough on defense, and strive to be the best rebounding team every time we step on the court.
Q: How do you adjust your coaching approach based on the strengths and personalities of each year’s group?
I take pride in adapting to my players’ strengths. Some years that means running zone defense, other years man-to-man or applying full-court pressure. Offensively, I might build around guard play or post strength, depending on the group. It’s all about finding what gives your team the best chance to succeed.
Q: What were the main areas of focus for your team during the offseason, and how do you build up those plans each summer?
Summer basketball is about getting in the gym and focusing on what your team needs to improve from the previous season — whether it’s transition play, shooting, ball security, or defense. Off the court, it’s about team bonding — spending time together at shootouts, camps, and team activities to build chemistry.
Q: What are the biggest challenges your team will face this season, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Being my first year at DeKalb, our biggest challenge is building a culture of mental toughness in both practices and games. It’s a process — installing offensive and defensive systems while still emphasizing fundamentals. But I believe by season’s end, we’ll be a much different and stronger team than when we started.
Q: Looking long-term, what do you hope your players take away from their time in your program — as athletes and as people?
I want my players to leave with a sense of pride in what they’ve accomplished and to understand the value of sacrificing for the team. Life is about lifting others up, not tearing them down. My hope is that they’ll come back one day, share their stories, and help inspire the next generation of DeKalb players.
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