Former Highland, Triad coach taking over Civic Memorial girls basketball program
After successful coaching tenures at Highland and Triad high schools Mike Arbuthnot is ready for yet another challenge.
Arbuthnot, 58, who led the Triad Knights to 13 wins this past season, has been named as the new head girls basketball coach at Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto..
One of the top programs in the St. Louis area and a perennial Class 3A state power in Illinois the past five years, Civic Memorial is coming off a 29-6 season that saw the Eagles reach the sectional title game before dropping a 14-point decision to Highland.
The Eagles also had a bit of controversy in 2019-20 when longtime coach Jonathan Denney resigned following an alleged incident at a tournament in Bloomington in January. Nevertheless, the cool, calm Arbuthnot is looking forward to coaching yet another Mississippi Valley Conference school.
“The experience at Triad was great. I really enjoyed the kids and my coaching staff. The administration really treated me well,” Arbuthnot said. “I never thought the CM (Civic Memorial) job was ever a possibility until the season was over and then we began talking.
“I was always familiar with the CM program and always respected the work and dedication the coaches and players put in to keeping the program at a high level. I always enjoyed coaching in the riverbend area, it’s nice to be coaching closer to home as the school is two minutes from my home.”
The 2020-21 season will be the 23rd as a girls basketball coach for Arbuthnot, who was a longtime coach and teacher at Roxana. He retired from teaching at Roxana a year ago. But still highly-competitive and with the passion to teach the game of basketball, Arbuthnot plans to coach for a while yet.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time. I really enjoy being around the players and the game of basketball. I really look forward to preparing for the next seasons with practices, weight room workouts and open gyms,” Arbuthnot said.
“Every program is different in its own way. All good programs have hard working players, supportive parents, administrative support, and a community that cares about the program and the athletes who are performing.”
Successful wherever he has coached, Arbuthnot had his best years at Highland where he led the Bulldogs to a third place finish at the Class 3A state finals in 2015-16.
Longtime successful coach ready for challenge at CM
At Civic Memorial, he will lead an Eagles team which graduated two-time Belleville News-Democrat Player of the Year Anna Hall and four-year starting guard Kourtland Tyus. He will also lead a program which expects to win and win a lot.
“I know coming in, there are high expectations. I am excited to be coaching in a program that does have those expectations. Everywhere I’ve been, there has been high expectations. That’s why I stay in coaching,” Arbuthnot said.
“I do know we have 11 juniors and sophomores returning who saw a lot of varsity action last season. I haven’t been able to meet with the players yet but really looking forward to when we can get in a gym, and get started.”
