For the past 29 seasons, the sidelines of Crab Orchard boys’ basketball has had a constant in head coach Jon Brown. Monday night that changed. Jon Brown is retiring. Crab Orchard’s Athletic Director, Tyler Hatton, is taking over as new head coach.
The Trojans head coach has a total of 32 years as a sideline-roamer, 29 of which have been at Crab Orchard. He spent three seasons from 1992 to 1995 at Neoga, compiling a 29-45 record with the Indians. After a season off, Brown was hired to lead the Trojans in 1996 and the rest is history.
“I was blessed to have the opportunity to coach at Crab Orchard for 30 years,” said Brown. “I had several talented hard working players and very supportive parents throughout the years.”
The longtime head coach put together a 550-316 record at Crab Orchard. His career record comes out to 579-361. He led the Trojans to a three Regional titles in 2011, 2012, and 2014.
This past season the Trojans went 20-8, losing to GEC rival Hardin County in the Crab Orchard Regional Semifinals. The Trojans graduate four of this past season’s starting five this Spring.
