Chino Hills High School announced over the weekend that the school is parting ways with boys basketball coach Stephan Gilling after just one season.
Gilling coached Ball’s two younger sons LaMelo and LiAngelo on a squad that finished 30-3 and just shy of a state championship. He did so as he battled LaVar all season long. Despite taking public shots at the first year coach and refusing to leave the team locker room after an argument at a Las Vegas tournament, Ball insists that he is not the reason for the coach’s dismissal.
LaVar Ball, the father of Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo, told ESPN that he did not get Gilling fired, despite multiple reports that he was unhappy with the coach and how he handled the team.
“He’s a really good guy, but I’m just not sure he was experienced enough,” LaVar Ball said. “But I wasn’t the reason why he’s gone. It was protocol that the job is open every year.”
Gilling, who led Chino Hills to a 30-3 overall record in his only season, sent ESPN an Instagram post in which he confirmed that he would not be coaching the team next season.
“As of yesterday, I was relieved of my duties at Chino Hills High School,” Gilling said. “Feeling relieved about it. Just want to give a shoutout to the players. Good luck.”
Chino Hills athletic director Jeff Schuld, when reached by ESPN, would not confirm that Gilling had been let go.
We’re all for going hard to secure your children’s future but not at the expense of another young black man trying to make his mark.