Coaching Changes at New Hampton & South Kent Schools
There will be major changes on the sidelines of the nation's top prep school league next season as both the New Hampton School and South Kent School have welcomed new men's basketball coaches within the last week after the departure of Peter Hutchins and Kelvin Jefferon to join the college ranks.
Hutchins will remain in New Hampshire and join the staff of newly appointed Dartmouth head coach David McLaughlin while Jefferson is heading south to Old Dominion University where he will join Jeff Jones' staff.
"I can't begin to describe my gratitude & appreciation for the chance to be a part of the New Hampton School community over the last decade," Hutchins said via his twitter account last week. "Giving back to a place that gave me so much was an honor & I couldn't be prouder to have coached such special kids. I'll always be a #Husky. With that said, I'm thrilled to be joining Coach McLaughlin's vision for the future of #Dartmouth basketball & can't wait to get to work!"
Dartmouth formally announced his hiring earlier this week.
Nick Whitmore, who spent the last two years as Hutchins' assistant, was immediately promoted to be the new head coach at New Hampton School.
"We are going to miss Coach Hutchins,” said athletic director Jamie Arsenault, “but I feel extremely fortunate to have had Nick working with the team the past two years. His insight and knowledge of the game has been a huge part of the continued success of New Hampton Basketball. Nick is ready to take over the reigns for Pete, and I am confident that Nick will continue to improve on our long standing tradition of recruiting outstanding people and players who will represent Husky Nation with character and pride.”
For Jefferson, the move to Old Dominion reunites him with head coach Jeff Jones, who he previously coached under at American University from 2001 to 2005.
“I am truly excited to reunite with Coach Jones at Old Dominion University,” said Jefferson. “Jeff is not only one of the best coaches in the business, he is a friend and a great family man. I am looking forward to joining the staff and hitting the recruiting trail with John Richardson and Bryant Stith. My time at South Kent has allowed me to develop strong recruiting ties not just nationally but internationally and I plan on using every contact I have to attract the type of players that the Old Dominion fans are accustomed too. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to work not just with great people, but at a great university as well.”
Old Dominion announced Jefferson's hiring last week.
South Kent's search for a new prep basketball coach quickly zeroed in on Bill Barton, who was officially named the program's new head coach earlier this week. Barton previously built Notre Dame Prep into a national power before moving on to the college level with stops at Duquesne, Marshall and Pittsburgh.
"His credentials speak for themselves and Bill has everything we were looking for in our new coach," athletic director Owen Fiburg said. "He knows New England boarding schools and he has been extremely successful running his own program and setting high expectations for his players on and off the court. Bill will make a significant contribution around campus as an administrator and teacher. He has strong relationships in the right recruiting circles and will be able bring in players that are quality students and kids. He is known for developing his kids to be better players and better young men that are prepared for college and beyond."
New Hampton and South Kent both compete in Class AAA of the NEPSAC.