Charlie Klinefelter stepping down at DePue

DEPUE – The Chef has cooked up his last recipe for success for the DePue Little Giants basketball team.

Charlie Klinefelter has resigned after nine years as the DePue head coach, and 17 years in the program, to take on a new job. He will become the chef at the Vault in Streator and will no longer have the time available to coach.

He said it was a very hard decision to make and he will miss working with the kids.

“I love the kids, man,” Klinefelter said. “Because it’s not about the money. I’ve spent money to pay for our summer leagues, the kids had something to eat. Bought their shoes. It’s about the kids.”

Klinefelter became only the third coach in school history to reach the 100-win mark in January 2020 and leaves with a 110-108 career record.

The Little Giants won a regional in 2017 with a 25-6 record and came up short in the regional championship the next season, falling to Kewanee Wethersfield, 39-36.

“We should have won another. We just had a bad day,” Klinefelter said.

Klinefelter, 63, would like to coach again if the opportunity presents itself.

“I’m like (Tom) Brady, I would never say never,” he said with a laugh.

Klinefelter is recommending his son, Cortland, who has been his assistant, for the head coaching position.

Klinefelter’s resignation will be addressed at the upcoming DePue school board meeting.