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Bob Hambric was a very private person. He also was a very principled person. Anyone who ever had an opportunity to know him--administrators, teachers, students, athletes, coaches, even sportswriters--came to quickly understand that he did things in his own fashion and was uncompromising. Call him stubborn. But his way was the winning way.
Hambric, one of the most successful high school basketball coaches in state history, died early Friday after a long illness. He was 69 years old.
In a brilliant 24-year career, he coached Simeon to a 551-145 record and produced a state championship team in 1984. He never coached a losing team. He won 20 or more games in 19 of his first 20 seasons. he was 167-11 during a six-year period in the 1980s.
He developed three Chicago Sun-Times Players of the Year--Nick Anderson (1986), Deon Thomas (1989) and Calvin Brock (2004). He also groomed Ben Wilson, who was ranked as the No. 1 player in the nation before being killed on the eve of the 1984-85 season.
He also coached and mentored his successor, Robert Smith, who guided Simeon to state titles in 2006 and 2007.
"He taught me that discipline is the key to everything that you do in your whole life," Smith said. "He taught me to get up and go to work, to make kids play how you want them to play."
Hambric did it his way. His ironclad philosophy included never allowing a freshman to play on the varsity. He was criticized when he kept Derrick Rose on the frosh-soph team. But he didn't waver. Rose later led Simeon to two state titles and was Player of the Year in 2007. Hambric never regretted his decision.
Some college coaches had trouble accepting Hambric's recruiting rules. Nobody could talk to his players during the season. Some tried to run around Hambric's flank. One was Iowa assistant Bruce Pearl, who ignited the Deon Thomas controversy. Iowa has been persona non grata at Simeon ever since.
Hambric was most proud of his 1984 state championship squad of Wilson, Tim Bankston, Bobby Tribble, Kenny Allen and Rodney Hull. They beat previously unbeaten and top-rated Evanston and Everette Stephens 53-47 in the state final. In so doing, Hambric felt they introduced a style of play and a brand of discipline that brought new-found respect to the Chicago Public League.
"Simeon had a real impact on the style of basketball that is being played today," Hambric said of his 1984 team. "We were one of the first that could play either style, uptempo or slow or pattern. We showed that Chicago teams were not just ripping and running down the floor, that we had direction to what we were doing and had discipline. We could control the tempo of the game."
Thomas, who starred at Illinois and went on to play several years overseas, recalled that Hambric was a tough guy but a great teacher. "A lot of people complained about a lot of things that Bob Knight did and Hambric did the same to us. But we needed it. We were a bunch of kids from the ghetto who didn't have a lot of discipline, no parents at home. He needed to run a tight ship. He did that. He helped a lot of people. He kept me focused," he said.
Anderson, who also starred at Illinois and played in the NBA for 13 years, said Hambric and former assistant coaches Bill "Pops" Alderson and George Stanton "made me the player I was and the person I am today.
"Hambric used to tell us: 'You may not like what I am doing right now but one day you will appreciate what you're going through.' Those words were as true as anything a person could tell you. I appreciate the guidance and leadership and discipline that those guys instilled in me."
Bankston, now basketball coach at Thornton Fractional North, knew the drill as well as anyone. After winning the state title in 1984, he admitted he didn't know how important it was at the time. "But I appreciate it more as time goes on," he said.
"I recall the sacrifices we had to make to get there. Kids don't want to sacrifice today. But we had to practice on weekends, give up girlfriends to concentrate on basketball and the books."
Hambric was tough as nails, a perfectionist and an icon to some, a curmudgeon to others, crusty and moody and ill-tempered. But Eraina Smith, his secretary in his last years at Simeon, probably knew him as well as anyone. The wife of former Hirsch basketball star Joshua Smith, she knows the values that the game of basketball can teach to people.
"The name Hambric stands for honesty, frankness, strength and persistence," she said. "These are the words that describe my boss. He was a true educator. He stood for what was right. He was determined. He could not accept less because he gave his all."
A fitting epitaph to a great coach.
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The Chicago Public League salutes Bob Hambric:
Bob Hambric is one of the most respected coaches in Chicago Public League History. The unwavering discipline and fundamental instruction is what he will be remembered for most. His methods helped boys become men while growing up on the far south side. You may not have always agreed with him, but one significant fact about his impact is the respect given to him by his peers and his former players. His success and development of players who succeeded at the next level is also a big part of his legagcy. I have to acknowledge the fact that Hambric was someone who was never afraid to say what was on his mind.
May you rest in peace coach Hambric.
I had the pleasure of playing for coach Hambric as a 10-13 yr old. Prior to him going to coach High School basketball i have to say he had the best biddy basketball team in the city (well one of them anyway) was hard to beat Isaiah Thomas and the Martin Luther Boys club team. Coach Hambric is being given credit for what he did at Simeon but he also developed some talent that went elsewhere. The first one that comes to mind is my old friend and team mate Craig Robinson yes the brother of our first lady! Craig went to Mt Carmel if im not mistaking and then later to Princeton and was the ivy league player of the yr. I read a article earlier that said he believed in discipline. smiling now wondering if anyone remembers the paddle? That was a part of it. Just wondering if anyone knows what happened to another one of my team mates from the early 70's. Daryll sigh. This guy could play. he went on to dunbar and played alongside Ronnie Lester. This isnt about me or my team mates but about the effects that a Great man had on a lot of young inner city kids. i know because as a man almost 50 yrs old, me and a few of the guys still share the memories. May God bless and keep the family in their time of need. R.I.P coach
One of the greatest coaches I have ever watched. I studied him for the years when I was a student at Simeon in the eighties.Coach Hambric was also my counselor. I was on the football team and would watch the rigours practice they would go through. I remember the run to 87th street and back down to the school. I saw how the community even today still has so much respect for the athlets and students at this school. I remember the day Ben was shot. It ripped our school part. I never knew the basketball progam would be the same but Cocah Hambric and his staff was able to pull those young men together and continue the tradition. I now use some of his tactics for coaching at the elementary level. They work. What a great school. My heart goes out to the family. Simeon and sports on the south side are what Wrigley Field is to the northside. Two great Chicago traditions. Good times at that school. Now may you join Coach Scott and Coach Evertt in the sky to start a new program .
Wilks class of 88.
Well I guess the original Bob is gone, but his legacy will live on forever, I remember transferring to Simeon and walking on the team, boy did I lack discipline, I had no I idea how tough this world really was and I guess this is why Hambric never spared the rod. GOD BLESS BOB HAMBRICS FAMILY, he was a great man and father figure.
BOB HAMBRIC WAS ONE OF CHICAGO'S GREATEST COACHES...WE SHOULD RAISE A STATUE IN IS HONOR...MAY GOD BLESS HIS SOUL AND LEGEND...
I had the pleasure of working with Coach Hambric many years at the Lou Henson Basketball Camp. He was a real class act, always ready to help out and got along with everyone. Illinois has lost one of its all time greats. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Gerry Thornton
Olympia High School
Mr. Hambric was a counselor for me. He helped me get through high school, he encouraged me and pushed me and had no mercy on my excuses. Doing what is required and going a step beyond, continue always to move forward he told me. I think about him often. He has always been missed in my life after HS. I can truely say I Loved Him.
Hambric was a great person as well as a great coach. I had the pleasure and honor of having him as a high school gym coach(Simeon class of 1979). He was tough as nails, but the students still loved him. He was a great role model.
I transferred to Simeon from Finger in 1974 and played on varsity under coach Lamont Brian while there (1974-76)we had two great teams that in my opinion should have gone down state. I didn't know coach Hambric very well but I knew as a mentor he was a force on the court and it showed on his teams that were competitive and disciplined he instilled winning as a tradition at Simeon and I will always remember him as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the state. Coach Hambric you will be greatly missed, rest in peace.
It was my privilege to work with Coach Hambrick in the Simeon Drivers Education Program in 1976 - 78. Coach was a good role model for standing your ground and doing what you say you would do. You were a legend in your own time.
Sometimes you don't know a persons impact until you grow up and have to face the world. Coach Hambrick was my 7th grade Math Teacher @ Fort Dearborn. Then at Simeon I was one of his student helper in the counseling office. He was a man of very few words, but he loved my whole family (The Lee's). Thank you Coach Hambrick & the other great role models we had at SIMEON! Class of 1977!
It was a privilege and an honor to have had the opportunity to have played for the coach. I was recruited by hambrick in 1979 from Beasley academic center. Hambrick was like the father I never had. I will miss him and the paddle that played an important role in my life, without him and his firm discipline who knows where I would be today a young black man from the hood (Robert Taylor). THANK YOU HAMBRICK FOR TEACHING ME THE GAME CALL LIFE.
Bob was a great man and coach , and his teams were a mirror image of him. He taught them to play he taught them to win and he taught them by example. I am sure many of his players are successful today because of him. john raymond
I, unfortunately, just found out. He was my cousin and looked out for me when I was very small. Taught me how to swim. Before his coaching career. I really love everything I've been reading about him from various people--about his legacy. OMG! It reminds me of myself. But I love it! Trully his legacy lives on.