Nothing in baseball can match an ace pitcher, not even the weight of history.
This time, Marion’s call was too much for James Blackmon to turn down. After spurning his alma mater a couple of years ago, Blackmon is heading home to become the Giants’ head boys basketball coach.
Blackmon confirmed he was approved by Marion Community Schools on Wednesday. He was unavailable for further comment.
After starring at Marion from 1980-83 and at Kentucky before a short professional career, Blackmon has been the Knights’ head coach for seven seasons. Blackmon was previously an assistant coach at Marion and Saint Francis.
In seven seasons, he led Luers to a 117-47 record and Class 2A state championships in 2008 and 2009.
Also on his coaching résumé are four sectional championships, three SAC tournament titles and a conference regular-season championship last year – all firsts in school history. Under his tutelage, current Ohio State freshman Deshaun Thomas won the 2010 Mr. Basketball award and finished third in all-time boys scoring at state history with 3,018 points.
Luers associate head coach Mitch Sturm said he is interested in taking over for Blackmon.
Blackmon, who scored a Marion-best 1,897 career points, was an Indiana All-Star and McDonald’s All-American in 1983 and finished second for Mr. Basketball.
Blackmon will replace Todd Grace, who was 17-25 in two seasons and was not retained as coach April 13. Blackmon reportedly was turned down a few years ago for the Marion job before Joe Luce was hired, then Blackmon rejected the position two years ago before the school hired Grace.
Blackmon applied for the Marion position soon after it was announced Grace would not be retained.
Marion took applications for the open position until May 6 before making the recommendation for Blackmon at Wednesday’s meeting. The board voted 5-2 in Blackmon’s favor.
The Giants have seven state titles and 14 semistate championships.
Blackmon’s oldest son, James Jr., is a freshman standout at Luers and has already committed to Indiana University, and another son, Vijay, is listed as one of the best seventh-graders in the nation. His youngest son, Jalen, is also a talented second-grade basketball player.
There was no immediate answer to whether or not Blackmon Sr. was moving to Marion or commuting.
His wife, Dr. Sailaja Blackmon, is a gynecologist in Fort Wayne.
