Jason Persinger will continue to be a big boys basketball fan, but not from the sidelines.
Persinger stepped down as the Peoria Christian head coach Monday, leaving behind an eight-year career that included a 175-80 (.686) record, six regional titles and a memorable run to a third-place finish in the 2025 Class 1A state tournament. He took over prior to the 2018-19 season and went on to win the program’s first regional in seven years.
“There was so much jubilation that first regional,” Persinger said, “it’s almost like we went to state that first year. … It was a pretty special first season.”
From there, Peoria Christian won five consecutive regionals, while winning at least 24 games during that stretch. PCS then broke through last season, making a run to the Final Four for the first time in 21 years and taking home a program-best third-place trophy.
That team finished 29-10 and was led by Malachi Persinger, the coach’s son and all-state guard.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” the elder Persinger said of being able to coach his son. “… To be able to make that run with Malachi as father-son was really special.”
But it wasn’t really until Persinger’s visit to the State Farm Center last month for the state finals that it really hit him about the uniqueness of what the Chargers had accomplished.
“I was just really overwhelmed with gratitude for just the incredible,” he said, “almost unbelievable run we really had, especially having Malachi be a part of that. … It will forever hold a special spot in my heart.”
Persinger was also quick to credit his assistant coach Aaron Tolson for the success at PCS. The two have been together since Persinger’s tenure began. Tolson will also be stepping away from his role as assistant.
“Someone asked me recently, ‘What’s it take to be a great high school coach?’ ” Persinger said. “You really need great assistant coaches. … I’ve been so lucky, blessed to have Aaron Tolson for the whole run.”
Now, Persinger will hang up his whistle and concentrate on being just a fan to Malachi as well as his four daughters.
“I’m just really looking forward to being dad in the stands,” Persinger said, “and enjoying watching them play.”
And he’s not ready to call it a coaching career just yet.
“I don’t know that I’m done (coaching) forever, but I’m done right now,” Persinger said. “It was a good run. The right student-athletes. The right coaches at the right time.”
Peoria Christian went 20-8 this season, losing in a Class 2A regional opener. The Chargers did win the Inter-County Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles. PCS also boasted a 13-game win streak from Jan. 6 to Feb. 7.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: ‘Lucky, blessed’: Peoria Christian boys basketball coach steps down
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
