Jason Speer has spent countless hours coaching and teaching the game of basketball as a head coach.
He decided it’s time to stop adding to the total, announcing he has stepped down as the boys coach at Bloomington North after 11 years with the Cougars, the first two as girls coach, then nine with the boys. He’s also stepping away as assistant athletic director, remaining as a teacher at North.
“Jason did a great job in his nine years as the Bloomington North boys basketball head coach,” North athletic director Andy Hodson said. “Our basketball program had some great success throughout his tenure, including two sectional and regional championships.
“We are extremely thankful for all that he did for BHSN basketball, athletics, and the North community. We wish him nothing but the best as he turns the page on an outstanding coaching career.”
Speer’s son Rex, still competing with the North boys golf team, has been accepted into Notre Dame and will be a student manager with the men’s basketball program. It’s just one of the things Jason didn’t want to miss out on, thinking back at all the things he didn’t get to enjoy due to coaching.
All the same, the time he invested in coaching is nothing he regrets.
“I am very grateful for the opportunities, relationships, and experiences that Indiana high school basketball has provided throughout my career,” Speer said in a press release. “It has been an incredible journey, and I couldn’t be happier with how it has unfolded.
“As I retire from coaching, I am excited to focus full-time on the classroom and to see what God has in store for my family and me in our very first offseason.”
Speer took over when Hodson resigned in 2017.
Hodson and Speer were assistants together at North under Tom McKinney from 2001-04 before Speer went back to his hometown of Bedford as an assistant then over to Columbus North, going 115-48 in seven seasons.
Speer was 127-83 with the Cougar boys, winning two sectionals in 2022 and 2023, both in highly dramatic fashion topping Bloomington South in overtime (32-28) and at Center Grove (43-41).
North beat Franklin for the regional title in 2022 before running into eventual champ Cathedral and the next year, the Cougars topped Columbus North (45-43) before being downed by undefeated powerhouse Ben Davis.
“Coaching has been a tremendous gift in our lives,” Speer said in the release. “And I am happy to pass that opportunity on to someone else. I hope it brings them as much joy and fulfillment as it has brought to our family.”
Hodson said the search for his replacement will begin immediately. Assistant coaches will direct the team this summer. The Cougars are expected to return two of the state’s top players in seniors Derrick Cross, a Junior All-Star this year, and Levi Lindeman in addition to senior starters Nate Walker and Tevin Bridgwaters from a 14-8 squad.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Jason Speer retiring as boys basketball coach at Bloomington North
Reporting by Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times | USA TODAY Network
