Sports

Fatherly duties take precedence over coaching for Hodges


Published: October 14, 2008

On High School Basketball

Matt Jenkins

Ben Hodges has become accustomed to teaching defense to the Masconomet boys basketball team during the winter months. This year, Hodges will be putting the very principles he taught into practice for himself.

Hodges has not landed an NBA contract, nor an overseas opportunity to resume a basketball career that ended when he graduated from Gordon College nearly 10 years ago. His task this winter is far more important than a game ever could be.

Hodges recently made the decision to step down from his post as the varsity boys basketball coach at Masconomet to (here's a coaching cliche) step up as a father.

The new-found free time will allow Hodges to take a more active role in the development of his 10-month old son, Bryce, who will no doubt make his father "get low," "shuffle his feet" and "keep a hand in the opponent's face" now that he's officially crawling.

Ben and his wife, Laurie, recently spent a couple of weekends "baby-proofing" their home. Since learning to crawl about a week ago, Bryce has already taken enjoyment in opening cabinets and attempting to stand up on low, reachable things.

Even though Hodges enjoyed what he was doing with the Chieftains, he felt like he was missing his son grow up.

"I'd come home and wake him up just so I could see him a little," Hodges said. "I couldn't see dealing with that tug-of-war again."

Hodges spent two years at the Masconomet helm after taking over for Buddy O'Neill. He amassed a 27-15 coaching record, leading the Chieftains to the Division 2 state tournament in both seasons — although they did not get out of the first round in either year.

His success came at a price last year. Bryce was born on the third day of tryouts, and naturally Hodges had the feeling of being pulled in two different directions.

"I told the kids I can coach (this year), but I said, 'It's not fair to you guys because I will not be 100 percent mentally prepared for practices and games,'" Hodges said. "There will not be time to review film and all that extra stuff."

Hodges is pretty sure he's not hanging up his whistle and clipboard permanently, though. He expects to get back in the game at some point, whether it's with one of Bryce's teams or at the high school level again someday.

"I know I'll have an opportunity again. Maybe it won't be in an ideal situation like Masco, but there will be other opportunities," Hodges said. "I've been fortunate to work at Masco, and Buddy O'Neill was a huge inspiration and mentor to me.

"It was a huge opportunity to coach here and it's difficult to give that up, but the chance to coach 16 and 17-year-olds will always be there. The opportunity to share time with my son will not. In the blink of an eye, it's gone."

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The Cape Ann League has been hit hard by the coaching carousel this offseason. In addition to Hodges, Ipswich's Doug Woodworth, Hamilton-Wenham's Marty Binette, Triton's Tim Connell and Manchester Essex's Bill Cahill have each moved on for different reasons.

The new Hamilton-Wenham coach is expected to be announced soon, and Ipswich has already filled its position from within. Woodworth's long-time J.V. coach and varsity assistant Alan LaRoche has been selected to fill the hole, and Woodworth believes he is the right man for the job.

"The biggest thing is that he's young, energetic and enthusiastic," Woodworth said of LaRoche. "He's a little more emotional than I am, in a positive way. He shows his excitement. I think he'll bring some energy, and he's coached them all. They'll be familiar with his style and his philosophy. It shouldn't be much of a transition."

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The popular opinion seems to be that St. John's Prep would like to fill the open basketball position from within, but there could be another possibility out there.

How's this for speculation: Bishop Fenwick junior varsity coach and varsity assistant John Dullea has been in the running for several local hoop openings (Danvers, Peabody), only to be let down in the end. He's undoubtably a strong head coaching candidate.

It's unlikely that the Prep would hire him with no varsity head coaching experience. But wouldn't the Eagles love to have another young, yet experienced coach who might like to take his coaching career to another level?

Is it out of the question for Fenwick's Sean Connolly to move up to the Division 1 level of St. John's Prep to succeed Dan Letarte, which would leave an open spot for Dullea to take over the Crusaders?

It's probably not a real possibility this year with Fenwick welcoming back almost its entire roster from last year — but it is fun to think about.

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Matt Jenkins is a staff writer at the Salem News. He can be reached by phone at 978-338-2648 or by e-mail at mjenkins@salemnews.com.