Wendell Jeffries is apparently out after 16 years as the varsity boys basketball coach at East Aurora.
School officials won’t confirm Jeffries has not been rehired for the stipend position, but the Illinois Athletic Directors Association contains a “jobs openings” listing on its website advertising the position.
And the Illinois High School Assocation school directory listing was changed sometime last week and has “TBA” in the space following “boys basketball head coach.”
Jeffries could not be reached for comment on his status, but he’s still listed on the IHSA directory and school website as the girls badminton coach, a position he has held at the school since he started teaching there in 1987.
Fil Torres, East Aurora’s interim athletic director, could not be reached for comment. It was Torres who listed the job opening with the IADA. It says the district is seeking a person with at least five years coaching experience but preferably 10, along with head coaching experience.
Potential candidates are instructed to submit applications to school principal Marina Kosak and copy to Torres.
District athletic director Nestor Garcia would not comment Tuesday when reached by phone.
“As the old saying goes, I have to defer to Tom Jackson, our P.R. person,” Garcia said.
Jackson is the public relations officer for East Aurora School District 131.
“I can’t tell you much of anything other than its a personnel matter not subject to public discussion,” Jackson said.
The matter did come up, however, during Monday’s school board meeting. Two of Jeffries’ players — Traevon Brown and D’Andre Tarver — spoke on Jeffries’ behalf, telling the board he should keep his job.
Both will be juniors in the upcoming season. Brown played on the varsity the past two seasons, and Jeffries is his great-great-uncle. Tarver played on the sophomore team last season.
Tarver, who said Jeffries made sure his players attended open gym and didn’t skip practice, said “it wouldn’t feel right” to play for another coach.
Brown described Jeffries as a “father figure,” and while some are questioning the team’s 8-19 record, the Tomcats were young with most players set to return.
“He had a heart for us,” Brown said.
Jeffries was the dean of Aurora-area basketball coaches, leading the program since 2001-02.
Through his first 10 years, Jeffries had the third-best record in school history at 188-94 (.667), behind only his mentors, Ernie Kivisto and Scott Martens. Jeffries played point guard for Kivisto and worked as an assistant under Martens.
In 16 seasons, Jeffries’ teams were 228-217 (.512), struggling through six straight sub-.500 seasons since going 24-6 and reaching a sectional championship game before losing to Glenbard East in Ryan Boatright’s senior season of 2010-11.
Jeffries graduated from East Aurora in 1982 and played college football at Jackson State, returning to Aurora to teach and coach at his alma mater in 1987.
He’s been there ever since, teaching physical education. He started as freshman football and boys basketball coach that year, as well as varsity girls badminton.
At Monday’s meeting, the board also approved the hiring of a new high school athletic director.
Benjamin Williams, whose title will be assistant principal of athletics and activities, starts the job July 1 and will be paid $90,000 annually. He has an bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois and master’s from Concordia.
Jackson said no further information about the new hire was available at this time.
Twitter @RickArmstrong28
Sarah Freishtat contributed to this report.