DELPHOS — There is an old saying that goes “you can’t go home again.”
Aaron Elwer hopes that is not true as he begins his career as the new head boys basketball coach at St. John’s.
He was introduced at a Thursday afternoon press conference to replace Doug Etgen.
You see, Elwer graduated in 1998 from the school as a 3-sport star, including as a 3-year letterman under then-basketball coach Brett Norris.
“There might be some added pressure but in my mind, there’s pressure anyway; that’s part of the job today. It was always in the back of my mind,” Elwer said. “I accept the challenge of continuing and adding to the great tradition of St. John’s boys basketball. It’s a great school; I loved it when I went to school here and want to continue what has gone before, athletically and academically.”
Elwer graduated from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in health and safety, with a minor in physical education. He played baseball for the Cougars, earning all-conference and All-Region honors, as well as being twice named an Academic All-American.
He brings five years of coaching experience: one as a varsity assistant under Norris (2002-03) at St. John’s; two as the girls head coach at Bradford (2003-05), amassing a 15-27 record; one as the head JV boys coach under Norris at Hilliard Darby (05-06); and last season at New Bremen, where he was the assistant boys varsity coach under Mike Ernst.
He hopes to use that experience as he takes over the Blue Jays.
“Coach Norris and Coach Ernst are my mentors. I think it’s a good thing to experience different ways of coaching and preparing,” he continued. “The goal of me and my staff will be to prepare the players to be competitive, to hustle and be disciplined every Friday and Saturday night. We want to put a product out there that the administration, the school and the community can be proud, what they have come to expect from St. John’s basketball.
“My philosophy begins with man-to-man defense and a motion offense. What other things we do on the court will depend on the personnel we have. I know from scouting them twice last year and playing them that they played a lot of sophomores. I have yet to have a meeting with the players and I do not have a coaching staff yet.”
Elwer figured it was an advantage knowing he would have to share athletes with other sports, being a football, basketball and baseball player in his high school days. He quarterbacked the 1997 team to a state football title and was a starter on the 1998 state runner-up cage unit.
“That’s part of the expectations. I am fully aware of that reality,” he said. “The whole idea is to get the kids to buy into whatever you’re trying to do, whether it be offensively or defensively.”
Elwer, who will serve as assistant athletic director and high school physical education teacher, could not hide his enthusiasm as he donned a Blue Jay cap.
“I am excited for this opportunity to coach at my alma mater. I am anxious to meet the kids and get started, to continue the great tradition that has been established here,” he added. “I’m sure my wife, Chris, will appreciate me being closer to home instead of having to drive to New Bremen every day. She teaches in the grade school here.”
Athletic Director Todd Schulte pointed to that excitement as one of the reasons Elwer was hired to be the 18th boys basketball coach in the history of the program.
“If you can get the respect of the kids — and I believe Aaron will — the kids at this school will do anything for you. He has the enthusiasm that I believe they will follow,” Schulte said. “It’s an exciting time at St. John’s as we bring Aaron on board. We believe he understands what we’re trying to accomplish here as far as discipline and competitiveness.”
School Superintendent, the Rev. Mel Verhoff, concurred.
“We were looking for someone who could motivate the kids, to bring energy and discipline and would give us 110 percent. There’s no question the school and community takes its basketball and football seriously,” Rev. Verhoff said. “We had a number of applications. We narrowed it down to six, whom we interviewed, and it was unanimous among the six members of the committee to hire Aaron. We are convinced he is the man we were looking for, the man who will meet the expectations the basketball program has.”
Rev. Verhoff has told Elwer he will be keeping a “close eye” on him.
“He’s been forewarned that I will be at a lot of games. I hope that doesn’t make him too nervous,” he joked in conclusion.