Tom Les said he took over as the basketball coach at Notre Dame because he wanted to give back to his alma mater in Niles.
He did so in ways that were apparent, like leading the Dons to some of the most successful seasons in program history. But also through less well-known actions, like spending the last decade as a volunteer and donating his coaching paychecks back to the basketball team and the athletic department.
Les, 62, announced his retirement from coaching on Saturday, ending a 10-season run in charge of the Dons. Notre Dame went 209-87, won an East Suburban Catholic title, six regionals and one sectional during his tenure. He also coached notable players like Mike DiGregorio (McKendree, Philippine Basketball Association), Quinton Chievous (Tennessee, Hampton, NBA D-League), Rodney Pryor (Robert Morris, Georgetown), Matt Mooney (Air Force, South Dakota), Joe Mooney (UC Davis) and current seniors Matt Stritzel and Jeameril Wilson.
The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association named Les one of its 2014-15 Class 4A Coaches of the Year after the Dons went 26-5. Notre Dame followed that up with records of 25-7 (2015-16) and 25-6 (2016-17).
Les, a 1971 Notre Dame graduate who starred for the Dons and in college at Bradley, said he took some time after the end of this past season before deciding the moment was right to step away. A resident of Crystal Lake, Les said he is not retiring from his full-time job as CFO of Althoff Industries, a Crystal Lake-based provider of heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services.
“I live an hour away from Notre Dame and every time we have a practice or game, I have to drive an hour each way,” said Les, who coached five seasons at Marian Central in Woodstock before taking the Notre Dame job in 2007. “I’ve (commuted) for 10 years because it was a way to give back to Notre Dame, which helped build a foundation for the success (me and my brothers Jim and Gary, also standout athletes at Notre Dame) have had.
“(After the season) I wanted to wait until after the emotional feeling had passed, to sit down and take a good long look, and decide (to stay or go). It was not an easy decision. Notre Dame is a great place. But it was time to turn the reins over.”
Les admitted there would be a void in his life without basketball, but said he looks forward to spending more time with his two grandchildren, who live near him in Crystal Lake, working on his golf game and also to finally taking full advantage of the second home he and wife Betsy have in Florida.
Notre Dame athletic director Mike Hennessey said the school is in the process of looking for a new coach and will be accepting resumes for a couple weeks.
Former Notre Dame players said Les was intense in the gym, something that was apparent to fans who watched Les prowl the sidelines during games.
But players said Les also has been a teacher, mentor, role model and adviser who cares deeply about his players and the school.
“He is a very dynamic human being,” said Stritzel, a Chicago resident and the leading scorer for Notre Dame this past season. “If you’re a fan (of another team), you think, ‘This guy is out of his mind, yelling at the refs.’ But he’s an awesome coach and one of the most influential figures in my life, and huge in other peoples’ lives. He’s one of the most generous human beings, giving his time and resources.”
Stritzel said Les could actually be “goofy,” but was serious when he needed to be, and that Les’ time working in the corporate world helped him bring a business-like approach to the locker room.
Wilson called Les a “perfectionist,” who tried to bring out the best in everyone. He said former Dons who moved on to play in college routinely came back to speak to the current players, and often brought the same message.
“The one thing they always did was thank coach Les and tell us to listen to him,” said Wilson, who lives in Chicago. “They all gave credit to coach Les for taking them to the next level.”
More Top Picks Emporio Armani Stronger With You Intensely For Men
Matt Mooney, a 2013 Notre Dame-graduate who averaged a team-high 18.6 ppg as a redshirt sophomore at South Dakota this past winter, remains close with Les, though he said there were times during his high school career he “didn’t really like the guy.” But Mooney said Les prepared him for college basketball.
“He ran Notre Dame like a college program,” said Mooney, who grew up in Wauconda. He added: “He’s not afraid to (really) coach guys, no matter how talented they are. He also built up the program to where it’s known in Chicago as one of the top (programs) every year.”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press