Kory Deadrick is out after one season as Proctor boys basketball coach.
The former Esko standout, who led the Eskomos to a Class AA state title in 2014, resigned Monday after a disagreement with Proctor’s administration.
“Some of the cultural changes that I was trying to instill and trying to make a part of the program, I just don’t think Proctor was ready for that,” Deadrick said by phone Tuesday. “It was just best for me to resign and pursue other basketball opportunities.”
The 24-year-old Deadrick was 9-19 in his only season at the helm.
Deadrick, who played basketball at the University of St. Thomas before transferring to St. Scholastica, is a financial advisor at Edward Jones.
ADVERTISEMENT
Deadrick said he hopes to land another coaching position in the area, so he preferred not to expound upon the conflict he had with Proctor officials, who did not return emails seeking comment.
“You try to be yourself and try to be a leader,” Deadrick said about his coaching philosophy. “I think coaching is a lot about motivation, motivating kids to be better people. That’s what I try to do every day. I think that’s our mission.”
While Deadrick didn’t want to burn any bridges for future employment possibilities, Duluth Denfeld coach Mike Devney was apoplectic when discussing the idea that parental influence is driving out young coaches.
“Kory did a hell of a job; he knows a lot about basketball,” said Devney, who coached Deadrick at Esko before being forced out after 19 seasons in 2018. “What this society is doing is discouraging kids from going into coaching and refereeing. I’ve seen dozens of really good coaches get fired, and I’ve had it.
“I’ve seen it over and over and over. These idiots think there are people lined up to be coaches at the high school level. And they’re delusional. That’s why you only get three or four applicants for a job.”
Devney, who is heading into his third season at Denfeld and has won more than 500 career games, said he offered his top assistant position to Deadrick.
“Kory, in my opinion, is going to be a great coach,” Devney said.
Deadrick, who coaches Amateur Athletic Union teams in the spring and summer and is getting married in August, said he is waiting to see what positions are available before making a commitment.
