Postseason play in high school boys basketball across the state begins Monday, Feb. 23.
But before the postseason arrives, there’s one final week of regular season play with a lot on the line. Extending win streaks and claiming bragging rights as well as conference championships being decided.
And of course, coaching plays a major role in all these achievements. So, that begs the question: which coaches have done the best job to this point and are the frontrunners to be named the coach of the year?
Last year, Jarrett Brown of East Peoria was the inaugural fans’ choice for coach of the year in boys basketball. We want to hear your picks. Voting ends at 12 p.m. Feb. 23. All records and statistics are through Friday, Feb. 13.
2026 boys basketball nominees for coach of the year
Jarrett Brown, East Peoria
Brown has East Peoria with back-to-back 20-plus win seasons. This marks for the first time for the Raiders (23-4) since a string of three in a row from 1995-97. EP is looking for its first regional championship since 1997.
Scott Carlson, Brimfield
Carlson, the former state champion coach, is four years back into his second stint with the Indians. Brimfield (22-6) started the season 9-0, then was on a six-game win streak that was ended by rival Elmwood. A win over Farmington on Feb. 17 would give Brimfield back-to-back Prairieland Conference-North Division titles.
Chad Cluver, Deer Creek-Mackinaw
Cluver, who is another state champion coach, is winning big during his first season with the Chiefs (20-5). The Class 1A top regional seed goes into the final stretch, knowing a major shakeup in the final Heart of Illinois Conference standings could happen with Flanagan-Cornell and Eureka still on the schedule.
Justin Dehm, Metamora
Dehm has the Redbirds (20-8) with another 20-win season and as a four seed in the Class 3A regionals. Metamora locked up a third-place finish in the Mid-Illini Conference. The Redbirds had a tough schedule, playing six teams with 20 wins or more, including Morton, Normal U-High, Peoria High, Chicago St. Ignatius, Palatine and East Peoria.
Marvin Jordan, Manual
Jordan has the Rams (17-9) dangerous as ever heading into the postseason. Last season’s run to the Class 2A fourth-place finish gave Manual a state-best 17th trophy. The fourth-year coach helped Manual to a third-place finish in the Class 3A/4A Big 12 Conference. The Rams have one final tune-up, hosting Class 3A Dunlap on Thursday.
Cory Link, Abingdon-Avon
Link has the Tornadoes on the upward swing after back-to-back winning seasons in 2024 and 2025. Now, A-Town (26-3) has a set a new program record for wins a season, while garnering a Class 1A No. 1 regional seed. Link’s guidance is instrumental in the Tornadoes winning the Lincoln Trail Conference for the first time since joining in 2022.
Quinn Morrow, Illinois Valley Central
Morrow has the Grey Ghosts as a No. 3 seed in a Class 2A regional. A win would give IVC (15-13) its first regional championship in 15 years and send them home for the sectional. The Ghosts will play nearly anyone. They faced 20-plus win teams in Oregon, Mendota, Warrensburg-Latham, Petersburg PORTA and East Peoria.
Jason Persinger, Peoria Christian
Persinger was coming off the program’s highest finish last season, taking third place at the Class 1A state finals. Now, the Chargers (18-7) are in Class 2A and still thriving. Peoria Christian can wrap up an undefeated Inter-County Athletic Conference campaign with a win over Illini Bluffs on Wednesday.
William Smith, Richwoods
Smith has Richwoods (23-6) excelling in its first season as a Class 4A team, winning 20 games for the fourth time in five years. The Knights started the season 6-0, then won nine in a row later in the season, including the Pekin Holiday Tournament title for the first time since 2009. Richwoods will meet Morton on Wednesday in a great season finale.
Abe Zeller, Morton
Zeller has Potter fans excited with the potential of what the team can do. The Potters (23-4) are riding a long winning streak and locked up a share of the Mid-Illini Conference title Friday with a win over Dunlap. Morton is hosting a Class 3A regional and is the top seed, looking to win its first regional championship since 2014.
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: Who is the 2026 coach of the year in the Peoria-area for boys basketball? Vote now
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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