Jonny Marlin, whose four-year tenure as the boys basketball coach at Greenwood Christian was marked by tremendous on-court success but also marred by clouds of controversy, announced his resignation on Tuesday afternoon.
"With our family growing and my attention needed elsewhere, I believe now is the right time to step down as coach," Marlin said in a press release sent out by the school. "It has been an absolute honor leading this program, and for the parents to trust me to mentor their sons."
The Cougars were 65-30 in Marlin’s four seasons at the helm, reaching their peak in 2019-20 with a 24-1 record and GCA’s first Johnson County tournament title in any sport. The team was ranked No. 1 in Class A at the end of the regular season and rolled to a second straight sectional championship before the COVID-19 pandemic cut the state tournament short.
But while Marlin enjoyed remarkable on-court success after inheriting a 7-17 squad when he was hired in April 2017, that success was marred by ongoing rumors of impropriety.
The GCA boys basketball program was placed on IHSAA probation in December of 2018 for providing an improper benefit to a prospective player prior to the 2018-19 school year.
Reports of further possible rules violations surfaced this winter, including recruitment through the use of undue influence and other infractions related to offseason training sessions purportedly run by Greenwood Christian coaches outside of the contact periods allowed by the IHSAA.
In response to those alleged infractions, athletic director Devin Gray told the Daily Journal that "GCA has self-reported any and all known possible violations to the IHSAA. We are committed to excellence, integrity and transparency within our programs."
Marlin did not comment on the alleged violations at the time and could not be reached for further comment on Tuesday.
The IHSAA has not yet commented or acted upon any of the more recent allegations.
Gray said in the school’s statement that the search for a new head coach would begin immediately, but that whoever ends up taking the job would have big shoes to fill.
"Working alongside him this year, I was able to see firsthand his supreme ability as a basketball coach, but even more so his gifting as a leader of young men," Gray said. "We are thankful for his service to GCA over the years, and wish him and his family nothing but the best moving forward."
