Boys basketball: Al Baker will not return as Woodstock coach

Woodstock boys basketball coach Al Baker informed his players, parents and the community Friday that he would not be returning for a 15th season as Blue Streaks coach.

Baker tweeted Friday morning and posted a letter stating he was informed by athletic director Chris Kirkpatrick on Thursday afternoon that his contract would not be renewed for next season.

Baker began as Blue Streaks head coach in 2009, and his teams were 140-246 in his 14 seasons. The Streaks’ best stretch in that time was from 2013-16, when they went a combined 67-44.

Baker’s 2013 team won a Class 3A regional championship and went 19-11, his best Woodstock team.

“I am disappointed, but I have told my players many times to have an ‘attitude of gratitude,’ " Baker wrote in the letter he posted.

Baker proceeded to thank the players and was grateful for the memories they made together. He thanked parents for trusting the coaching staff and for their support.

He also thanked his assistant coaches and his wife, Sara, for the sacrifices she made so he could coach for 14 years. Dundee-Crown’s Lance Huber, who just finished his 19th season, is the only area coach with a longer tenure than Baker.

“I am proud of the work that we did and the way we represented Woodstock High School,” Baker wrote. “We did our best to teach our players how to play the game of basketball while hopefully making a positive impact on them that will last long after the ball stops bouncing. I’m thankful that I had that opportunity.”

Efforts to reach Baker by phone were unsuccessful.

Kirkpatrick declined to specify a reason for Baker not being rehired.

“We appreciate coach Baker’s 14 years of service to the program and to the kids at Woodstock,” Kirkpatrick said.