John Polkowski steps down as Green Bay Southwest boys basketball coach after 10 years
GREEN BAY – When John Polkowski went through the hiring process to become the Green Bay Southwest boys basketball coach in 2013, he impressed the interview committee despite being only three years out of college and having no varsity coaching experience.
“He is a knowledgeable young coach who is ready to take on a bigger role and lead a program,” former Southwest standout Aaron Moesch said at the time, just a couple of months before embarking on a collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. “I’m excited to see what he does at Southwest in the next few years.”
The next few years turned into 10, making Polkowski one of the longest-tenured basketball coaches in the area.
But a decade is long enough.
Polkowski has decided to step down from the position in part to spend more time with his family, which includes three young children.
He will remain both a physical education teacher at Southwest and the assistant athletic director under Amy Hogan.
Polkowski can’t rule out a return to the sideline someday, but for now, he’s happy with the choice he’s been contemplating for a while now.
The Trojans went 12-13 overall this season and finished in a tie for fourth with Ashwaubenon in the 10-team Fox River Classic Conference.
“I think there is a lot that goes into making a decision like this,” Polkowski said. “As I’ve kind of said to our players and parents and our administration, it just comes down to time. There is a lot of sacrifices that go into coaching, whether that be through family, the extra things I’d like to do. There are sacrifices that you make to make the job work, no different than kids and other families.
“You kind of weigh both sides of that. At this point, I’ve accomplished quite a bit over the last 10 years and I’m content with leaving and leaving on a good note. I want to make that as clear as possible. I am happy. I look forward and want to be a big fan next year of whoever takes over and want to see the program continue with its momentum moving forward.”
Polkowski played basketball at UW-Oshkosh and was a student assistant at the school. He served as the freshman boys coach at West De Pere in 2012-13 before getting the opportunity to run his own program at Southwest.
He went 99-136 during his time at Southwest, but there were big moments and seasons sprinkled in with some of the down years.
Southwest went 22-3 in 2018-19, winning its first conference championship in almost two decades. It started that season on a 13-game winning streak and reached a sectional semifinal before losing to Kaukauna by three points.
Polkowski also helped create one of the more memorable moments in program history in February 2020, when he and his players gave a jersey to team manager Musa Abdikadir and had him suit up for Senior Night.
Abdikadir knew he had some “height deficiencies” to be a star in basketball, but he was that night against De Pere after hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer. It didn’t result in a Southwest win but did make for a great moment, not to mention some recognition from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of their Senior Spotlight program.
“That 2019 year is, without a doubt, a memorable year, a great journey,” Polkowski said. “Just a great group. Those groups don’t come along often, so you really have to take advantage of what it is. You kind of always compare to that team in many ways in how you are coaching.
“The next year with Musa having his moment. That was great, too. I think the biggest thing is the connections. I still connect with a lot of the players I’ve worked with more of on a personal basis and have seen some of these players play at the college level. There is a lot to be excited about the last 10 years. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
As much as Polkowski meant as a coach, he also has meant just as much to the school and the other athletic programs. Which is why the administration is happy he is sticking around to continue to serve in his other roles.
“John is a very good leader,” Hogan said. “He came to the program 10 years ago with not a lot of coaching experience, and he has grown tremendously as a strong coach.
“He is a good coach, and he is a good mentor to the other coaches in other programs. I can refer them to him for helping in their respective coaching.”
Southwest planned to post the job opening this week.
The only thing more fun than a coaching search for an AD is to do two at the same time.
The Trojans also are seeking a new girls basketball coach after Tony Lee recently stepped down.
MORE: Coaching shakeup coming in Fox River Classic Conference girls basketball
“It will be fine,” Hogan said. “I think we will be OK on the girls side when we hire someone, and John feels we are going to have some good candidates coming in (for the boys). I’ve been blessed not having to do this a lot, but I totally understand. … Ten years is pretty good.
“Is it going to be sad not having John there? You bet it is. But whoever is that next coach, he is going to be in good hands.”
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: John Polkowski steps down as Green Bay Southwest boys basketball coach
