Dominique Sanders leaves Nordonia to coach boys basketball team at alma mater Twinsburg

There’s just something about home that pulls hardest on the heartstrings.

Dominique Sanders won a league championship for the Twinsburg boys basketball team as a captain. He was a first-team all-conference selection and honorable mention all-district in 2008 as a senior.

Sanders coached the freshman team for a season and has been in the system for 11 years as a physical education teacher.

When the opportunity to coach his alma mater arose after Phil Schmook stepped down, it was hard for him not to leave Nordonia as its coach to come back to Twinsburg.

“It was a very difficult decision,” Sanders said. “It really was a perfect situation. When I got there, I remember we sat down with the youth and developed a plan and were able to triple our numbers. That led to our success at the high school. We were able to reach the district final in 2023. The administration was amazing. They were very supportive. I couldn’t have asked for anything better from the community and the players.

“I’m pumped to come back. It’s definitely an honor. I’m looking forward to bringing that family vibe back to the ‘Burg’ and bring some championships back if we’re that fortunate.”

What Dominique Sanders brings to Twinsburg boys basketball

Sanders, 34, returns to the Tigers after a 19-1 season as Kenston’s junior varsity coach in 2017 and six seasons as a head coach, with the last five being at Nordonia.

A 2023 Greater Akron Basketball Coaches Association runner-up for coach of the year, Sanders went 53-59 with the Knights and was coming off a 9-14 season.

He replaces Schmook, who went 114-91 in nine seasons at Twinsburg. Schmook went 11-33 his first two seasons with the Tigers but then rolled off 17-plus wins seasons in four of his last seven years.

“Naturally, when you’re an alum of a place and you go back and coach there, it speaks a little more to you, individually,” Twinsburg athletic director Brian Fantone said. “It’s definitely a great thing for any school district to say they produce such high quality people that grow professionally and ultimately come back to where they started. It’s definitely a great thing moving forward for our program.

“His familiarity means a ton just with the collegial relationships he has with the coaches in the Suburban League already. The knowledge he has of the programs and the players in the league will help a ton as it relates to the X’s and O’s for scouting on a Tuesday or Friday night. It’s one of those boxes you can check off and say it’s something we don’t have to worry about.”

What's the next step for Twinsburg, Nordonia boys basketball?

Sanders takes over for a program that went 11-12 last season.

“I’m going to have an easy transition,” he said. “Coach Phil brought some great things to the program. They know how to play. We’re going to try to continue to have success here.”

Nordonia has already posted the job internally and is taking external applications before beginning the interview process.

“It’s going to be tough,” Knights athletic director Rob Eckenrode said. “I thank him for the job that he’s done and wish him luck at Twinsburg.”

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA basketball: Sanders is back to coach Twinsburg boys team