04/13/2007

Constant steps down

He had coached Central's varsity for 22 seasons

BY DENNIS CHASE

dchase@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle file photo/
Jan-Michael Stump
The Trojans won 12 Class A districts and two regionals under coach Jon Constant.

TRAVERSE CITY — Jon Constant is stepping down after 22 years as the Traverse City Central's boys basketball coach.

"It's something that has been in the back of my mind since last year,” Constant said. "When you start feeling like that, maybe it's time.

"I've had a wonderful career here. I had a great experience being in charge of this program. There's nothing quite like it (coaching basketball). I was able to live my dream. I have memories that will last a lifetime.”

Constant, 57, coached basketball for 34 years in Traverse City — six years with the freshmen, six with the junior varsity and 22 with the varsity.

"There just comes a time,” Constant said. "I was able to coach (the varsity) 22 years and leave on my own terms — and that's great. But now it's time to pass the baton and let some one else run with it. I wish the program well.”

The Trojans won 68 percent of their games under Constant, who leaves with a 341-161 record.

"I was hoping Jon would stay another 22 years,” Traverse City Central athletic director Ian Hearn said. "He's a great coach, a great person. His character, his attributes are second to none. He's going to be extremely hard to replace.”

Dennis Starkey, who's coached at Big North Conference rival Petoskey for 21 years, echoed those sentiments.

"It's sad to hear he's done,” Starkey said. "I wish him the best because he deserves it. He's a true gentleman. He always treated me and our teams here with utmost respect.

"Traverse City Central's had a lot of success under Jon's leadership. He always had his teams ready to play. Those will be big shoes to fill.”

The Trojans won 12 Class A districts and two regionals under Constant.

Constant credited a loyal and dedicated coaching staff and players "who stepped up and did their best for Traverse City Central” as the reasons for that success.

"I had a lot of help,” he said. "I didn't make one shot in any of those games. It takes more than a head coach, much more.”

Constant said this past season's 2-19 record did not influence his decision.

"Absolutely not,” he said. "I enjoyed this group of players like I enjoyed all my teams. They gave me the effort. This was a decision about where I'm at right now.”

Constant coached several outstanding players and teams. He took over in 1986 when there was just one public high school in Traverse City.

His early teams featured players like Jeff Majerle and Chad Allen, who went on to play at Central Michigan and Southern Methodist, respectively.

"Jeff (Majerle) averaged over 18 points a game before the 3-point shot came into existence,” Constant said. "And most of his shots were 3 pointers.”

Allen starred on a team that won a regional in 1990.

"That was a great team,” he said. "That team averaged 81 points a game.”

The Trojans won another regional in 1996 and Constant had the bulk of that squad back the following season — "probably one of the best teams we've ever had,” he said — but suspensions took away several key players. Still, even without those players, the Trojans beat then No. 1 Mount Pleasant on the road.

The Trojans always played a tough schedule under Constant. Opponents included Benton Harbor, Detroit Country Day — with Chris Webber and Shane Battier — and Saginaw. In fact, Central played Saginaw almost every year.

"You wanted to play good competition and we were able to find spots in our schedule for very good teams,” he said.

Constant, who will continue to teach history and government, said he's looking forward to the transition and to watching future Trojan teams play.

"It's going to be different being in that gym (as a spectator) and seeing all those banners, some of which you had some input,” he said. "It will be interesting to watch some of the (underclassmen) I've been able to coach. And there are some good young players coming up. They'll have a big supporter up in the stands.”