Calkins ready to 'start a new chapter'

Citing a desire for a fresh start, Creston boys basketball coach and co-head golf coach Jim Calkins does not plan on being at the school when classes begin next fall.

"There's no job that I left Creston for. It's a fresh start for me. I haven't even looked at any openings," Calkins said. "I just feel there was never going to be an easy time to leave Creston, especially after eight great years. I just feel at this time in my life it's time to move on. And I feel both programs I've been involved in are in great shape with great people leading them. The foundation has been set and the leaders are there.

"I've given my heart and soul to Creston for the last eight years and really felt like I've got a lot of other things to do that I want to do. I thoroughly enjoyed my time, I'll tell you that."

Calkins has not signed his contract for the next school year, but also has not turned in a resignation yet as well.

"I'll know more on Friday for sure. I think he's supposed to be back in town on Friday. That's kind of where we sit right now," Creston athletic director Jeff Bevins said. "I don't want to come to any decisions until I can sit down and talk with him. But if that is the case we will be looking for a couple more positions here."

Bevins said if Calkins decides to move on, he would give him his full support. But he also wants a chance to talk first.

"Sometimes you just need to sit down and think things through," Bevins said.

State hoop teams

Calkins, who started at Creston in the 2003-04 school year, led a pair of boys basketball teams to the state tournament and this year's boys golf team to state.

His 2006 state tournament basketball team placed fourth in Class 3A, the best finish for a Panther squad since the 1997 championship team. Including the two state teams, Calkins coached the Panthers to five substate final games in his eight seasons.

"I've been blessed to have kids who were committed and wanted to invest and give back," Calkins said. "I think a lot of those early teams were inspired by the ’97 team and wanted to do the same thing. They put a lot of time in and really made it easy for me.

"I tried to supply stability to the program. And that early success made it easy. It was an investment of excellence. They were along the same lines that I was."

This past year's Panther squad finished 8-14, but with several underclassmen seeing heavy varsity playing time, Calkins feels the program is in very good shape, on and off the court.

"I think the future is bright. We're losing some fantastic leadership, but we have guys who have excellent work ethic. There's going to be a very bright window here for at least these next three, four, five years that Creston is going to be very successful in boys basketball," Calkins said. "And we have people who are committed to the program. And there's been a lot of support. We've had a lot of people who have been very supportive of me and the program."

Fun finish

If Calkins is to leave, his last act as a Creston coach will be watching his young Panther boys golf team compete in the Class 3A State Golf Meet last weekend in Ames.

"What a joy. What a great feeling. We really accomplished a lot of our goals this year. The progress we've made in the last three or four years, a lot of people probably wouldn't believe it," Calkins said. "But they've put in the time and invested. I would put them up against any team in the state as far as time put in. And they listened. We saw and are seeing progress. They're having a lot of success and it's great seeing those smiles and jubilation. And they have that taste of wanting something more now.

"I have the utmost faith and belief that they're going to accomplish those goals. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach them. And I loved working with the ladies this year too."

Calkins said leaving behind such a strong team that returns everyone next year, including freshman eighth-place state finisher Carson Whittington, is not easy.

"I think that was one of the most difficult decisions. But was I then staying for my own selfish motives and my own successes? I'll always be a part of that team. When you've invested that much, you'll be a part of it," he said. "And when they go on to accomplish those things, I may not be with them in person, but I'll still be with them and that feels great."

Calkins didn't say when he started thinking about leaving Creston, just that "it's been in the works."

"I've wavered with it, but I also wanted to see some other things through. I just feel that right now it's the time where I can look back and say those were eight great years. And I can also say whoever is working with Jan (Lesan) in golf and taking over basketball can say 'thank you.' It's all in place and there.

"I'll always be a Creston Panther in my heart. But it's time for Jim Calkins to move on and start a new chapter in his life."