Photo by Wes Kroninger
Don Meyer, one of the winningest college basketball coaches in history, once said, “To be a team, you must be a family.”
The family ideals applied to the court have helped Ed Calo, Westerville South High School boys’ basketball head coach, become one of the most successful high school coaches in Ohio.
During his 29 seasons at South, Calo has won 437 games and led the Wildcats to 11 conference and five district titles, as well as consecutive state championship game appearances (2015 and 2016). Earlier this year, he led South to its first state championship.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Calo played basketball in middle school for his father. After his father’s job transfer moved the family to Westerville following his sophomore year of high school, Calo attended and played basketball at the original Westerville High School for two years before graduating in 1975. He returned to Pennsylvania to attend Slippery Rock University, where he majored in history and played basketball.
Calo was a senior captain and learned valuable lessons that he has applied to his coaching career. But his initial plans never included high school coaching.
“During my last two years in college, I thought coaching at the collegiate level would be most enjoyable,” says Calo. “But my priorities changed once I started student teaching and coaching. I thought I could make a greater impact in high school.”
Calo returned to central Ohio after graduating from Slippery Rock in 1979, serving as a history teacher and assistant basketball coach in the South-Western City School District for seven years. He returned to South to teach and serve as an assistant coach for one year, before becoming head coach in 1987.
Calo’s first task was rebuilding a team coming off a 4-16 record.
“My first game as head coach was not a positive experience overall, but it was exciting to be out there,” says Calo. “We had a young team, but I thought the prospects were bright. I had to keep telling myself that it was a process and to keep staying the course, and our kids did that.”
During this past season, Calo focused his team on going one step further than last year, when the Wildcats lost in the state championship game. Following an 18-4 regular season record and a conference championship, the team won its first six playoff games to capture the district and regional titles and advance to the final four at the Schottenstein Center.
After winning the state semifinal game, South returned to the state final to face undefeated Lima Senior High School in front of 13,457 spectators. With the score tied at 55 late in the game, senior Jordan Humphrey drained a short jump shot with 2.3 seconds remaining to lift the Wildcats to a dramatic 57-55 victory.
“Our kids were heartbroken after losing the championship game in 2015, but it turned out to be a great focus for us,” says Calo. “The theme for this past season was ‘Four Nets:’ to cut down a net for the conference, district, regional and state championships.”
But even though Calo has more than 400 wins and a state championship, he especially enjoys creating a family atmosphere around his team in which kids learn more than just basketball.
Ed Calo cuts down the net following the Wildcats' 2016 state championship. Photo courtesy of Ed Calo
“My intentions are to help young people and give them a chance to better themselves,” says Calo. “I’ll yell at them, but there will never be a time when what I’m saying is not constructive. I want to encourage them and make sure they know it’s OK to make mistakes and learn from them. The kids need to understand we love them and want the best for them, and if they understand this, they’re fine with any criticism.”
Senior Jelani Rogers was injured for most of this past season, but was a two-year starter for Calo.
“Coach Calo not only taught us how to become better basketball players, but how to become better young men as well,” says Rogers. “He’s definitely had a positive impact in my life and has helped me move forward from a boy to a young man.”
Calo also looks at his assistant coaches as members of his family. Some are former players, while others have been with him for more than 20 years.
“He continues to do a fantastic job of building a family-type atmosphere,” says Pat Palumbo, who has been Calo’s assistant during his 29 seasons at South. “At the state championship game, we had at least one alumnus from each of our classes. He also delivers a life message to the kids before and after every practice to help them see the bigger picture and prepare them for life.”
His efforts were recognized on May 11 when he received the Diane J. Conley Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise Service to Youth award.
Calo’s own family also contributes to the team’s success.
“All of them have contributed to the program in a variety of ways,” says Calo. “My daughter is probably our biggest fan, and my son Michael runs the Westerville South Basketball Twitter account (@SouthBasketball). We also have a team meal before every game for about 30 people, which my wife prepares herself. Sharing a meal with my team and family is very special.”
But Calo’s other son, Anthony, has a good excuse for missing South games. He was as an assistant under his father for two seasons and recently completed his third year as boys’ basketball coach at Olentangy Orange High School.
“My son wanted to be a head coach, and I wanted to help make that happen,” says Calo. “Orange had a really good year this past season, and I’m really proud of him.”
Next season, father and son will coach against each other for the first time.
“I’m not looking forward to it because I know who his mother will be rooting for,” says Calo.
Calo retired from teaching after the 2014-15 academic year. But unlike quarterback Peyton Manning, who retired after winning the Super Bowl earlier this year, Calo has no plans to walk away from the sport he loves after winning a state title.
“I don’t know when I’ll retire,” says Calo. “I still love the game and can’t imagine a day where I won’t love the game and enjoy working with kids. They only have high school once and deserve someone who gives it their best and tries to help them as much as possible.”
Westerville resident Chris Woodley is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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