Andy Weaver did not necessarily go into the season knowing this would be his final year coaching high school basketball at Plainfield. But as the year progressed – one of the most enjoyable of his 32 seasons overall – Weaver said the decision became clear to him.
It was the right time.
“A lot of veteran coaches that came before me said, ‘You’ll know when it’s time,’” Weaver said. “The signs were there and I thought, ‘Yes, it’s time.’ We had a terrific season and the guys were outstanding. It was one of my favorite groups of all-time for a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with winning but because of who they were off the floor.”
Weaver, 59, completed his 14th season at Plainfield last week with a 56-53 loss to third-ranked Pike in the Class 4A Sectional 11 semifinals in front of a sellout crowd at Plainfield. The Quakers, ranked No. 5 in the state, finished with a 22-3 record with a big senior class led by DePaul commit Noah Smith and all-time program assist leader Landon Gilliatt.
“That was a neat tribute to how those guys played all season,” Weaver said of the crowd at Friday’s sectional semifinal. “We’re a Mid-State Conference team of (1,791 students), but the talent and connectedness of this team led to that. Plainfield will support teams that play that way. It was really special. We came out and built a lead and felt like we had a team that could win that game. I’d love to still be playing but give credit to Pike. They made their run.”
Weaver was 196-137 overall at Pike, posting a winning record in each of his last 10 seasons with the Quakers. Plainfield went 24-3 in 2020-21 with the program’s first sectional championship since the 1998-99 team won the 3A state title.
Weaver started his coaching career at Pioneer for three years before spending 15 seasons at Western. He won six 3A sectionals there, including a regional title in 2004.
“That was a special time to me,” Weaver said of Western. “There are so many players and coaches from there that still mean a lot to me. One of our players from the 2006 team came to our Pike game the other night with his young son and you realize how quickly 20 years goes by. I didn’t even know he was going to be there. Those types of things mean a lot to you.”
In 32 seasons total, Weaver has an overall record of 422-313.
Weaver and his wife, Shelly, have three children: 21-year-old son Bryce and 17-year-old twins, Michael and Madison.
“My family has made so many sacrifices,” Weaver said. “Our family doesn’t know any different than living high school basketball – following the players and the scores. They have never told me I needed to get out or anything like that.”
Weaver said he “loves Indiana high school basketball” and does not rule out ever coaching again. But he said the time is right to “give to other areas of my life.” He teaches math at Plainfield and plans to continue teaching.
“I still plan get to a lot of games,” he said. “Our freshman group went 18-1 and I’d like to see how they end up developing.”
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: ‘Yes, it’s time.’ Andy Weaver steps down as Plainfield basketball coach
Reporting by Kyle Neddenriep, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
