Coaches

Harold Bennett

Year Inducted: 1987

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: Durand High School
Newark High School
Carmi High School
several other schools

Biography: Harold Bennett served eight schools as head basketball coach in his 31 years in the profession. His record stands at 538-237. Starting in 1953 at Earlville, Bennett won three Little Ten conference Tournaments and two IHSA District titles in his three seasons, including a 25-4 club. At Morris, starting in 1956, Bennett coached four seasons, winning a holiday tournament and an IHSA Regional championship, his best team going 21-5. At Cary Grove Bennett spent three seasons and produced a district champion. At Carmi, Bennett’s club went 18-6 in 1963-64, won the consolation title at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament and an IHSA Regional championship. At Newark from1964-1974 Bennett won four Little 10 Conference tournaments, four IHSA District championships and two IHSA Regional crowns. At Newark, Bennett had a pair of teams which went 26-3 and 28-3. In two seasons at Bradley-Bourbonnais starting in 1974 Bennett’s teams won two IHSA Regional championships. Bennett retired at Durand after 10 seasons where he won an IHSA Regional championship. Bennett attended Robinson High School where he was a second team All-Stater in 1948. He played basketball and football at Illinois Wesleyan for four seasons.  Harold Bennett died on May 9, 2022 at the age of 91.