Q&A With Herndon Basketball's Chris Whelan
HERNDON, VA - New Herndon head basketball coach, Chris Whelan, comes back home to take over a program that (now retired) coach Gary Hall has built into one of the area's most successful basketball programs, over an 18 year span. Whelan, a 1996 Herndon grad, played basketball for three years under coach Hall, all of which saw the Hornets as Concorde District champions. He spent the previous two years as the head boys basketball coach at Darien High School, in Darien, CN. Last season, he led the school to its best season in 20 years, utilizing many of the same tactics he learned from Hall.
After graduating from Herndon, Whelan attended Lynchburg College from 1996-2000 and was a graduate assistant coach with the men's basketball program in 2000-01 and 2001-02. Even though he maintains a "connection" to Herndon High School, it was his experience coaching, both at the high school and collegiate level, that made him the right choice. Whelan admits some nervousness going into the position, knowing he has some expectations of success to uphold at the school. Coach Hall had an impressive record of 319-146 while coaching the Hornets. He won six district titles and led the team to its first ever Northern Region title in 2006 before falling to Booker T. Washington in the state title game. Whelan was quoted recently as saying he plans to continue to use many of the coaching methods he learned from Hall, but he will add his own twists as well.
Gameday: Talk about the path that has brought you back home to Herndon?
Coach Whelan: After graduating from Lynchburg in 2000, I stayed on as an assistant coach for two years before heading to Connecticut where I coached at Darien High School until this opportunity arose. I always thought it would be fun to do if opportunity presented itself. But I also never thought of anyone running this program except Coach Hall.
Gameday: You are taking over a program that has enjoyed much success the last few years. What, if any, pressures are you feeling?
CW: There are always high expectations here. This year is no exception. I expect this to be a good transition year, and I believe we will surprise some people with the talent we have.
Gameday: Talk a bit about your coaching style and similarities to Coach Hall?
CW: Playing for Coach Hall, I was blessed to play on three championship teams, and during that time I was able to learn many things from him. Our styles are similar and we do share similar attributes.
Gameday: Coach Hall was very successful here winning 319 games, have you had the opportunity to meet with him to draw from his knowledge?
CW: Yes, definitely. We talk on a daily basis about the personnel, the off season training. He has been great in this transition.
Gameday: The Concorde district is always competitive and the Hornets are normally right at the top. Who do you think will be tough this year?
CW: The Concorde is an excellent basketball conference and this year will be no different. Westfield and Chantilly will be right there, but Herndon is going to be up there as well.
Gameday: You talked about preseason workouts. Tell me what we can expect to see from the Hornets this season?
CW: We will continue to run an up-tempo game on offense and bring pressure on defense. I am pleased and excited with the makeup of this team. They have worked hard all summer to get ready.
Gameday: Talk about the makeup of this team?
CW: We have two excellent guards...Tucker Lucas, whose older brother played here, and Makhail Hamilton. They will make a fine 1 - 2 combination. Chris Drozel is a fantastic player, as well. We also picked up a couple of transfer players
Gameday: One of the biggest rivalries in the area has been South Lakes vs. Herndon. With the retirement of both Coach Hall and Coach Byrd from South Lakes do you expect any let down in the rivalry?
CW: Oh no, not at all. Coach Branch is an alumnus of South Lakes, and he understands the history, as do I. We are really close and have known each other all our lives. If anything, I expect that this rivalry will intensify because we are both so competitive.
