Gary Vancil

Teacher/Coach Gary Vancil was a teacher and coach at OTHS for thirty years. He coached basketball, football, and baseball, serving as Head Varsity Coach in both basketball and football. During his 13 years as Head Basketball Coach, the Pirates won 7 Regional Championships, 2 Sectional Championships, and an Elite Eight berth in 1984-85, also winning the NCIC title 4 times. The 1982-83 Sectional Champion Pirates were 27-3, losing to Peoria Central in the Super Sectional. During the period 1981-85 the Pirates won 45 straight home games. Additionally, while he was a Varsity Assistant in basketball, the Pirates went to the Elite 8 in 1977-78, and won 2 Sectional and 2 Regional titles. During his 2 years as Head Football Coach, the Pirates were 13-5 and co-NCIC champions in 1980. His overall coaching record at all levels exceeded 70%, and he was associated with only 3 teams that finished with more losses than wins. He was previously inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame under the category of “Coach”, and the Kewanee High School Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Alumni.