Mundelein tabs Pazanin new girls basketball coach
Mundelein athletic director Perry Wilhelm has announced the hiring of a new head varsity girls basketball coach to replace Brian Evans, who resigned after a successful career at MHS that began in 1998.
Antioch graduate Martin Pazanin was hired by the District 120 Board of Education to teach special education and coach the girls basketball team.
Pazanin holds a bachelor's degree in special education from Bradley University. He served this past season as head girls basketball coach at Illinois Valley Central High School in Chillicothe, Ill., where he is a special-education teacher. His Lady Grey Ghosts defeated state-ranked Peoria Christian and state-qualifying Bloomington Central Catholic this past season.
Prior to Illinois Valley Central, Pazanin was the varsity girls basketball coach and a special-education teacher at Champaign Central High School. His team was ranked 13th in state in Class 3A. His two-year regular-season record was 31-23 with a 20-12 Big 12 Conference record. The team was awarded an IHSA academic achievement award.
In addition, Pazanin serves as 15U head coach for the Illinois Pizazz AAU girls basketball program.
"We have played in highly competitive tournaments throughout the Midwest, including multiple tournaments in Chicago," Pazanin said. "I have also helped develop the players become very successful for their high school teams."
Pazanin graduated from Antioch in 2005. He advanced downstate in the three-point shooting contest both his junior and senior seasons. He made the finals his junior year.
"Martin brings great experience to the table as our new head girls varsity basketball coach," Wilhelm said. "We're looking forward to Martin continuing our winning records in the girls basketball program."