Newman basketball coach Mark Potter plans to resign after season over health issue

Mark Potter and his family departed his hometown of Sedan on Thanksgiving and they discussed the recent escalation of high blood pressure and his fears for his health. By the end of the 98-mile drive, Potter realized his 19-year tenure as men’s basketball coach of the Newman Jets must end.

On Friday, Potter conducted practice on the court that bears his family’s name. Then Potter, 53, told his players that he will retire after the season.

“Is there a relief?” he said. “An incredible relief. Am I 100 percent at peace with the decision? Yes.”

Potter said he took medicine for high blood pressure for around five years. In mid-November, the medicine stopped controlling the issue and readings in the neighborhood of 154/96 scared him. He worried about collapsing on the sideline during a game. Changing his intense style of coaching seemed unrealistic.

A new life as a motivational speaker — Potter talks to groups about his fight with depression and other topics — beckoned.

He called Newman athletic director Vic Trilli the Sunday after Thanksgiving and they met at Scotch and Sirloin the next day, when Potter delivered his decision.

“I think my body, after being (a) head coach for 30 years, is trying to tell me something,” Potter said. “My family helped wake me up a little bit, as well. You try to take a step back and train yourself to not overreact or have your brain going 24/7 about basketball and the stress that’s related to coaching. It’s not who I am. That’s not going to change.”

While Newman had other coaches and previous success, Potter, to most, is Jets basketball. He played basketball and baseball at the school in the 1980s. Newman dropped the program in 1987 and hired Potter to revive it in 1998. He oversaw the move from NAIA to NCAA Division II, starting in 2008.

“It’s been an incredibly emotional two weeks,” he said. “Nineteen years of walking into the old De Mattias (gym) and the old facility. We had no balls and no players, to where we are today. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished in 19 years.”

He is 323-210 in 19 seasons at Newman. The Jets are 1-6 this season entering Saturday’s game at Northwestern Oklahoma State.

“We could not be more thankful for what Coach Potter and his family have done for Newman,” Trilli said. “(The family) exemplifies what Newman athletics is all about, not just in athletics, but in everything that is right here at Newman.”

Potter stressed that the decision was not related to the depression issues he battled 12 years ago. He also stressed that he retained the support of Trilli.

“If I wanted to stay here — and I’m not done with this year — I still feel like we have incredible hopes,” Potter said. “I’ll move on when the last buzzer sounds. Right now, all I’m trying to do is make sure this basketball team is being the best they can be.”

Potter plans to focus on his speaking engagements for his second career. He and his wife, Nanette, recently formed a company (D2up, which stands for “Dedicated to Uncommon Principles”) to manage and promote his speaking.

“I have opportunities now that I wouldn’t have 10 years ago,” he said. “God has given me the ability to speak with passion. It’s easy for me, because that’s who I am. I really believe I have so much more to give in that realm.”

Trilli said the university plans to mark Potter’s career with a reunion of former players at the final home game of the season on Feb. 25 against Texas A&M International.

“As director of athletics, I must plan to move forward, Trilli said. “Personally, I must admit a deep sense of sadness, but also a tremendous desire to celebrate this family and their tremendous dedication, passion and love for Newman University athletics. I believe that we must celebrate and honor the marvelous career of this iconic basketball coach and his family.”

In 2013, the Jets appeared in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional. Potter took Newman to the NAIA Division II national tournament in 2000, 2002 and 2005, where they won first-round games in 2000 and 2005.

Potter also coached at Cheney, Kapaun Mount Carmel and South. Cheney finished second in Class 3A in 1990. In 1998, South finished third in Class 6A.

One of the few people Potter revealed his decision to was Mulvane boys coach Mike Abasolo, Potter’s first recruit and his assistant coach from 2000-05. They talked at Newman’s gym after a Mulvane game and Abasolo told Potter he loved him.

Those are the memories and relationships Potter will miss.

“You always hear the phrase that what we do is a drug,” Potter said. “I can get ready to walk on the practice floor just being tired as all get-out. I can walk out there for two hours, somehow, and be the most intense person ever, and not even feel like I worked. It’s finally caught up to me in some ways.”

This story was originally published December 9, 2016 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Newman basketball coach Mark Potter plans to resign after season over health issue."