Coaches

Carroll “Nellie” Bennett

Year Inducted: 1993

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: Marshall (IL) High School

Martinsville (IL) High School

Biography:  Carroll “Nellie” Bennett coached for 24 years, 17 of them as head basketball coach at Marshall (IL) High School.  He also had coached for three seasons at Martinsville (IL) High School.  During his career, Bennett’s teams were 311-161.  Seven times, his teams won 20+ games in a season.  Three teams won 25+ games.  His teams won 8 conference championships, 7 conference/holiday tournaments, 3 IHSA Regional titles, and 1 IHSA Sectional title (resulting in a Sweet 16 appearance).

Bennett was voted the coach of the year in his conference five times.  In 1973, he was the Decatur Herald-Review Coach of the Year.  His best team was led by Howie Johnson who went on to play at The University of Illinois-Champaign.  That team went 26-3 and beat the #3 team, Effingham St. Anthony HS as well as defending champion Lawrenceville HS.  Many of his former players became successfully involved in athletics as their career as a result of Coach Bennett’s guidance.

 Carroll “Nellie” Bennett died on April 13, 2014 at the age of 85.