IBCA E-Newsletter

NFHS Coach of the Year nominees

Marc Davidson of Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian and Jared Rehmel of Linton-Stockton have been chosen as Indiana’s nominees for the National Federation of State High School Associations national basketball coaches of the year.

Davidson led Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian to a 28-3 campaign that included the Class 2A championship in the 2020-21 season. Earlier, the Braves won the Bluffton Sectional, North Judson Regional and Elkhart Semi-State.

In eight seasons at Blackhawk Christian, Davidson has compiled a 174-50 record with championships in seven sectionals, three regionals and two semi-states. His Braves also have captured two state titles, including the Class A crown in 2019. In 16 seasons as a high school boys’ varsity coach, his teams have amassed a 259-120 ledger.

Davison previously coached three seasons at Macomb Christian (Mich.), two seasons at Trinity International University in Illinois, one season at Aurora Christian (Ill.), two seasons at Dominion Christian (Va.) and two seasons at Lakewood Park Christian. He is a 1991 graduate of Aurora Christian High School and a 1995 graduate of Trinity International University.

In high school, he was a star player with his father, Don, an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, as coach. In 2017, he was an honorable mention selection on a list of the 100 best Illinois high school basketball players ever, as chosen by the Chicago Tribune.

After high school, Davidson matriculated to the University of Illinois, playing two seasons for Lou Henson. He then transferred to Trinity International, where he totaled 1,528 points, 859 rebounds over two seasons and was a two-time NAIA All-American with the Trojans. He followed by playing professionally in Europe for more than a decade, and he currently is a health and physical education teacher at Blackhawk Christian.

Davidson and his wife, Lisa, are parents to Wesley, Will, Frankie, Marcus, Jimmy, Isaiah and Jaela.

Rehmel guided Linton-Stockton to a 27-1 season in 2020-21 that included a second consecutive Class 2A state championship. Along the way, the Miners won the Southwestern Indiana Conference, North Knox Sectional, Crawford County Regional and Jasper Semi-State.

He has coached the Miners for seven seasons, compiling a 106-72 ledger during that span with two sectional, two regional, two semi-state and two Class 2A crowns.

Rehmel is a 2006 graduate of Shakamak High School, where he competed in basketball and baseball and helped the Lakers to baseball Class A state runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2006. He played basketball at Olney Central College, the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Southern Indiana, collecting NJCAA honorable mention All-America honors at Olney Central. Rehmel earned an associate’s degree from Olney Central in 2009 and a bachelor’s degree in sports management from USI in 2012.

He started his coaching career as a basketball assistant at USI in 2011-12, working with the Screaming Eagles’ men’s and women’s teams in strength and conditioning.

Rehmel works as a management analyst for Amentum in Odon, Ind.

NFHS/INDIANA COACH OF THE YEAR HONOREES

2011 to Present (working to compile a list of honorees from prior years)

*State and Section 4 winner. Section 4 includes Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin
**State, Section 4 and National winner