By Kyle Daubs

Mattoon didn’t have to look too far for a replacement. 

Amanda Aydt, the 2020 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year, and longtime Mattoon girls varsity basketball coach submitted her letter of resignation at the end of the 2021-22 season.  In eight seasons, Aydt had just one losing season. Altogether, Aydt left Mattoon with an overall record of 152-73 and a 57-35 mark in the Apollo Conference. 

Her former assistant/junior varsity coach in Troy Haacke has been named the replacement. 

“I am excited for the opportunity to coach the Mattoon High School girls basketball team and thankful for the opportunity,” said Haacke. “I love coaching basketball and watching the kids develop and improve. I enjoy the strategic planning for games and watching the girls’ hard work pay off with success on the court. I have a wonderful support staff at home, my wife Angie and all three kids are very excited and supportive.”

Haacke’s oldest daughter, Kylie Haacke, played four years at MHS in addition to running cross country and track. Haacke has another daughter in the program who will be a sophomore next year. 

Haacke has been associated with Mattoon basketball since his first year in the district in 2001. Haacke served as a volunteer assistant under coach Bob Lockart with the boys’ program. He later became the JV coach for six years during which he coached with three different head coaches. 

For the past five years, Haacke has served as a coach for the girls’ program. He has also been a part of Mattoon travel leagues, the YMCA, and the city league. 

To make time for his endeavors as head coach, he has stepped down as the head coach for boys and girls cross country. He will remain the head coach for girls’ track. 

Now, Haacke looks to fill the shoes of a head coach that guided Mattoon to the Apollo title and an appearance in the Sweet 16 last season. 

“Coach Aydt has done a wonderful job with the program and I have enjoyed coaching with her,” said Haacke. “She has had many years of successful teams and I hope to continue many of the great things she has done.”