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New Crean Lutheran High School boys basketball coach Austin Loeb. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran High School).
It’s been a goal of Austin Loeb to be a head high school varsity boys basketball coach.
Loeb, 32, will get his chance as the new boys basketball coach at Crean Lutheran High School, where he will replace former coach Nate Klitzing who was named head coach at Orange Lutheran Monday after seven seasons leading Crean Lutheran.
“I’ve wanted to be a head coach for a while,” Loeb said Monday in an interview with OC Sports Zone. “I’ve had other opportunities but love Crean Lutheran, the high school and it’s mission. It’s truly a special place I believe and I’ve loved coaching with the staff we’ve had. We’ve been together for seven years, it’s a special bond and we’ve coached absolutely amazing kids. God has a plan and it ended up turning out OK for me.
“I feel extremely blessed and thankful, I’m excited to get to work {with} our ministry and our boys and continue to build on what we’ve created here, which is an excellent basketball program that honors God, competes at the highest level and transforms young men.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on, [the goal is] for our guys to get better every day and to play for each other and continue to honor Christ through their play.”
Crean Lutheran officials confirmed the decision Monday in a statement.
“Coach Loeb served under Coach Nathan Klitzing as the primary varsity assistant coach for the past seven years, and along with the Saints family, is thankful for Coach Klitzing’s service to the Crean Lutheran ministry,” the school’s athletic director Eric Olson said.
“Coach Klitzing is returning home to his alma mater, Orange Lutheran High School where he will serve as head boys basketball coach. During his time at Crean Lutheran, Coach Klitzing emphasized a faith-based approach to coaching, which has served the Saints well. Coach Loeb’s Christian character, relational excellence, coaching experience, and basketball knowledge make him an ideal successor.
“As a former high school (Brethren Christian) and college basketball player, he remains most committed to the sport of basketball. In high school, Coach Loeb was an Academy League boys basketball player of the year, a two-time All-CIF player, and was selected to the All-Orange County team. Following high school, Coach Loeb continued his career at Irvine Valley College, where he was named to the all-conference team.
“He was recruited from IVC to play at The Master’s University and finished his collegiate eligibility at Colorado Christian University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. After college, Coach Loeb concluded his playing career at the semi-professional level with the New Release Basketball Club, traveling abroad and competing against professional teams in Mexico and Italy.”
Loeb thanked Klitzing and school officials for their support in a statement.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Coach Nate Klitzing for his mentorship and leadership. His example has shaped not only my coaching philosophy but also my approach to servant leadership. I am also truly grateful to our school administration, Dr. Beavers and Dr. Moyer, and our Athletic Director, Mr. Eric Olson, for their trust, encouragement, and continued support.”
Loeb said he is focused on hiring a staff and also plans to work on finalizing a schedule. There was no indication whether Crean Lutheran will face Orange Lutheran next season in a game.
“Once I’ve done that, I will have more time to think and look at the pieces we have coming back and moving forward and evaluating from there,” he said. “Defense will be a staple so our guys are going to defend, play with passion and take pride on the defensive end of the floor.”
Klitzing and Loeb and assistant coach Ryan Fink met with the Crean Lutheran players Monday morning.
“It was an emotional meeting, but for both parties, we’re excited to get to work, Coach K we loved him and all that he’s poured into this program, but ultimately I think the guys have a familiar face, they know I love them,” Loeb said.
Loeb will take over a program that has been successful the past seven years with Klitzing leading the way and Loeb as a key assistant. Crean Lutheran captured the CIF Division 2A title in 2021, made seven straight playoff appearances and won five league titles in a row.
The Saints finished 18-13 this past season and advanced to the semifinal round of the CIF playoffs, losing to Los Alamitos. Crean Lutheran also advanced to the state tournament.
“I’m excited for what’s to come, for sure and yes to keep growing the ministry,” he said. “There is still a lot of work to be done. We have most of our returners from that Division 1 semifinal team and then we have Chadrack Mpoyi who brings us a little bit more size and interior play. I want to leave the expectations out of it, nothing has been proven, we’re in a brand new season, I’m excited for our guys to get to work.”
Loeb played against Crean Lutheran when he was a senior at Brethren Christian.
“I think it was their very first inaugural season and back then, the school was probably a hundred or so kids and who would have thought that it would come to what it’s become,” he said.
Loeb said he will continue to be an assistant athletic director at Crean Lutheran. Loeb and his wife Hannah live in Lake Forest with their two daughters and attend Abiding Savior Lutheran Church.
Check back for a story on Nate Klitzing’s decision to take the Orange Lutheran job.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com