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The Formula For Winning - A Conversation With Doug Creel
In Episode 64 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee — presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Photography and Videography — host Kerry Martin sits down with legendary Mount Vernon basketball coach Doug Creel, the winningest coach in program history and one of the most respected figures in Southern Illinois basketball.
Creel spent 19 seasons as head coach of the Mount Vernon Rams, compiling 348 career wins — the most in school history — while leading the program to eight regional championships, four sectional titles, one super-sectional crown, and a trip to the IHSA State Tournament. Coaching in one of Illinois’ most competitive basketball environments, Creel built teams that were consistently prepared for postseason play and known for their discipline, toughness, and execution.
A Mount Vernon native, Creel’s journey reflects both the tradition and evolution of the program he later led. After high school, he played two years at Rend Lake College before continuing his collegiate career at Jacksonville State University. Following college, Creel began his coaching career in Georgia, teaching and coaching for one year at Walker High School in the Atlanta area before returning home to Southern Illinois.
Kerry and Creel dive deep into the craft of basketball coaching — from learning through clinics and assistant roles to understanding how tempo, shot selection, and half-court execution win games in March. Creel discusses adapting systems to fit personnel, defining roles within a team, and the importance of guarding, rebounding, and valuing possessions against elite competition.
The conversation revisits key moments from Creel’s career, including his early years at Thompsonville, nine seasons as an assistant under Lee Emery at Mount Vernon, and the pressure of leading a high-expectation program steeped in tradition. Creel reflects on navigating tough seasons, earning trust within a locker room, and the balance between preparation and performance on game night.
In this candid, reflective episode, Creel offers perspective for young coaches and parents alike — emphasizing effort, coachability, and being a great teammate as the true foundations of success. It’s a thoughtful examination of longevity, leadership, and love for the game — delivered by a coach whose impact on Southern Illinois basketball continues to be felt long after the final buzzer.
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By Swinford Media GroupIn Episode 64 of Coaches at Crown Brew Getting Coffee — presented by the Swinford Media Group and sponsored by Adrenaline Fundraising, Marion Plumbing, and Swinford Wedding Photography and Videography — host Kerry Martin sits down with legendary Mount Vernon basketball coach Doug Creel, the winningest coach in program history and one of the most respected figures in Southern Illinois basketball.
Creel spent 19 seasons as head coach of the Mount Vernon Rams, compiling 348 career wins — the most in school history — while leading the program to eight regional championships, four sectional titles, one super-sectional crown, and a trip to the IHSA State Tournament. Coaching in one of Illinois’ most competitive basketball environments, Creel built teams that were consistently prepared for postseason play and known for their discipline, toughness, and execution.
A Mount Vernon native, Creel’s journey reflects both the tradition and evolution of the program he later led. After high school, he played two years at Rend Lake College before continuing his collegiate career at Jacksonville State University. Following college, Creel began his coaching career in Georgia, teaching and coaching for one year at Walker High School in the Atlanta area before returning home to Southern Illinois.
Kerry and Creel dive deep into the craft of basketball coaching — from learning through clinics and assistant roles to understanding how tempo, shot selection, and half-court execution win games in March. Creel discusses adapting systems to fit personnel, defining roles within a team, and the importance of guarding, rebounding, and valuing possessions against elite competition.
The conversation revisits key moments from Creel’s career, including his early years at Thompsonville, nine seasons as an assistant under Lee Emery at Mount Vernon, and the pressure of leading a high-expectation program steeped in tradition. Creel reflects on navigating tough seasons, earning trust within a locker room, and the balance between preparation and performance on game night.
In this candid, reflective episode, Creel offers perspective for young coaches and parents alike — emphasizing effort, coachability, and being a great teammate as the true foundations of success. It’s a thoughtful examination of longevity, leadership, and love for the game — delivered by a coach whose impact on Southern Illinois basketball continues to be felt long after the final buzzer.