Millennium names girls hoops coach
April 28, 2020 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365
Millennium’s search for its next girls basketball coach didn’t stray from campus. The school announced Tuesday that Kevin Thomas will take the reigns from Cory Rojeck in leading the two-time defending 5A state champs this fall.
Thomas relocated to Arizona two years ago landing at Millennium HS from Indiana where he served as a boys basketball assistant for nine years at Crown Point High in Crown Point, Indiana.
Thomas spent the last two years teaching world history and finishing a masters degree in educational leadership, which he completed in February. The job opening at Millennium was a surprise, but one he was interested in pursuing when it became known.
"It's a bittersweet opportunity," Thomas said. "I was sad to hear Cory was leaving, but excited to try for the opportunity presented. I'm not here to blow things up or deconstruct what has worked. We have a lot in common. We both come from the Midwest and emphasize defense and toughness."
Thomas has coached girls in a skills development setting, not a team setting. Millennium athletic director Remigio Gordillo doesn't see that as a problem in the least.
"He was hands down the best candidate out of the pool," Gordillo said. "He is not known in Arizona. But they will find out real quick on Day 1 that he is one of the best coaches in the state. He's from the mecca of basketball - Indiana....
"He fits right in. Not only will he sustain what we have going on, but take it to another level.""
Thomas played basketball through college. A 6-foot-8 forward at Purdue University Northwest where he was first team, all-conference and captain for two years.
The coach Thomas worked as a varsity assistant to at Crown Pointe, its current coach Clint Swan, is a huge fan.
"Kevin was an integral part of our success in his time as an assistant at Crown Pointe," Swan said. "His knowledge of the game, high level of energy and ability to connect with kids was evident to all who worked with him. I knew being a head coach was in his future.... The players at Millennium are fortunate to get someone of his ability to come along."
Rojeck’s top two assistants -- Tamika Stukes and Joseph Lee -- will remain in their capacities keeping familiarity intact. Rojeck also gave a thumbs up for Thomas, his teaching colleague in the school’s social studies department.
