The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Krizancic joins 600 win club
Mentor coach Bob Krizancic needed to wait a couple of weeks for win No. 600.
At North on Jan. 16, the Cardinals further secured Krizancic’s status in Ohio high school basketball early. They built a doubledigit lead early and cruised to a 96-38 win against the Rangers.
Krizancic is the 14th coach in state history to reach the 600-win plateau. He owns a 600-283 record over a coaching career that began at his alma mater, Girard, in 1980.
Mentor’s players donned commemorative shirts in the visitor’s locker room postgame, where they presented their coach a canvas emblazoned with a graphic of “Coach K” to celebrate his 600th career victory.
“You know what my favorite two things are on here?” Krizancic asked.
With a smile, he pointed to the two squares at the top of the canvas — “1993 Division II State Title” and “2013 Division I State Title.”
Those two state title victories are among many in the 600 Krizancic considers special. But to the man in his 25th season at Mentor, the milestone isn’t indicative of the times his teams scored more points than their opponents.
“It represents the Thanksgiving and Christmas the players I coached coming back in the gym,” Krizancic said. “Texting, until this day, the majority of them. Relationships — you don’t win unless you build the relationships.”
Krizancic is appreciative of his family’s involvement during his career. He estimates his father was in attendance for between 600 and 700 of the games he’s coached, and he coached teams featuring his sons Cole and Conner on the roster for six seasons. Krizancic picked up nearly a fifth of his career wins coaching those teams that averaged about 20 wins per season.
The accomplishment signifies to Krizancic as much about the teams who have won 16 district titles, Mentor’s Nick Ventura blocks a shot by North’s Riley Cunningham on Jan. 16.
three regional titles and two state championship as it does his own work.
“It means more that I’ve had phenomenal players and an outstanding staff,” Krizancic said. “That’s what that means. So as far as the individual, nothing. It means everything for my players and (coaches).”
Mentor’s players Jan. 16 were excited to earn their coach’s milestone victory. The Cardinals were also relieved to win again after losing back-to-back games against Brunswick and Euclid. Nick Ventura led the Cardinals with 14 points, Matt Koski and Ben Gingrich each scored 11 and Caden Kryz added 10. Gingrich, a senior reserve guard, logged heavy minutes on a significant night for his coach.
“He’s done everything for me,” Gingrich said.
“He’s the best coach I’ve ever had. He’s inspired me to try many new things. He’s made me the player I am today. I bust my (butt) for that guy.”
Brian Skolny led the Rangers with 11 points.
North’s coach, Rob Koelling, played for Krizancic at Mentor. He remembers Krizancic’s arduous practices that made games seem easy, which is why Krizancic’s milestone is no surprise to Koelling and his many former pupils.
“He gets the most out of his players,” Koelling said. “The guys play the system that he coaches, that he teaches, that he instills. Those guys realize it’s next man up over there.”
Krizancic has little time to exult in his achievement.
Mentor, at 6-4 with a 1-3 record in Greater Conference Play, hosts Elyria in a vital GCC matchup Jan. 20. At the season’s midpoint, he’s still concerned about the Cardinals’ free-throw shooting. And he hopes to add a third state championship ring to his collection.
For one night, though, Krizancic allowed himself brief, yet pointed, reflection on a career for which he’s grateful.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Krizancic said. “And the people that you meet, absolutely phenomenal.”