The toughest part of John Shulman’s day came when he met with his McCallie players.
After speaking with his family, Shulman felt good about the reasons behind his decision to resign as the Blue Tornado basketball coach, but that didn’t make the discussion he had to have with his team Wednesday morning any easier.
McCallie head coach John Shulman reacts during their game against Baylor at the Walker Forum on the campus of McCallie School on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
John Shulman talks to McCallie basketball players during a home game in the 2017-18 season, his last as head coach of the Blue Tornado. After winning 100 games in his four seasons as coach of the Blue Tornado, Shulman resigned. Now the former UTC coach is returning to the college ranks to head up the program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
McCallie coach John Shulman reacts during their game against Oak Hill Academy in the third annual Dr Pepper TEN basketball showcase at the Walker Forum on the campus of the McCallie School on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.“I dreaded telling those kids so much,” said Shulman, who resigned after four seasons at McCallie to spend more time with his wife and three sons. “When I coach, those players are my kids. I know everything about them. They come over to our house to eat and hang out, and they’re a part of our family. So telling them was really tough.
“It’s been an unbelievable ride, and I’ve still got a lot of energy and want to be involved in helping young people. I’m so thankful to McCallie for allowing me to be a part of their family. This was a family decision to allow me to be a better dad and be a part of all my kids’ lives. Now I’ll have more time to see them play and be there for them more. I will miss coaching. But I would miss watching my kids play more, so that’s what made it an easy decision for me.”
During his time at McCallie, Shulman – who previously coached the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball program for nine seasons and led the Mocs to two NCAA tournament appearances (2005, ’09) – compiled an overall record of 100-32 that included a runner-up finish at the 2017 TSSAA Division II-AA state tournament. The Blue Tornado also reached the state semifinals under Shulman and won several championships in basketball tournaments across the South, including three consecutive titles in the annual Times Free Press Best of Preps tournament.