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Ex-coach Ike Thornton, Cincinnati Taft's Mark Mitchell, Worthington Kilbourne's Tom Souder and Fairmont's Hank Bias are among a group of coaches strongly being considered in connection with Trotwood-Madison's open boys basketball position.

No school official confirmed the names, but a source did. Three of four coaches reached indicated they'd been contacted about the position formerly held by Larry Ham.

Trotwood athletic director Jim Ladd had no comment about the coaching search other than saying late applicants may still be considered and he hopes to have the coaching search wrapped up in the next couple of weeks.

Mitchell, Bias and Souder confirmed they will be talking more with Trotwood officials about the opening. Souder also is a finalist for the Hamilton High School job.

Thornton wasn't immediately available for comment.

"It's a basketball school," said Bias, who was a T-M finalist two years ago after Thornton moved to Texas. "Anybody that wouldn't be interested in talking to Trotwood about basketball has got to be nuts."

Thornton, 68-28 in four years at Trotwood, just finished his first year (20-14) coaching Sam Houston High School in San Antonio. He and his family moved after the Rams made the 2006 Division I state title game.

A couple of weeks ago, Thornton had not yet been contacted by Trotwood, but he did say: "Dayton is home. Trotwood is a place that's near to my heart. I would never be able to say that I'd never think about (returning) ... I'm always going to listen."

Mitchell, 97-26 in five seasons at Taft, said he and Ham (42-7 in two years at Trotwood) have known each other for years. "We're fraternity brothers," Mitchell said. "When I first heard, I was deeply saddened. Ham is one of the truly good guys in the profession I know."

Ladd said the coaching change was made for "philosophical reasons. It was in the best interests of the kids and athletes to move in another direction," he said Thursday, May 15. "Winning is important, but it's not the most important piece."

Mitchell said his relationship with Ham would not stop him from interviewing at Trotwood, which he said has good school spirit and "athletes."

Mitchell has twin sophomore boys — Kevin and Cameron — who play basketball, though Cameron is more noted for football. Mitchell said moving his boys (and twin sixth-grade girls Kelsey and Chelsea) would be big factors were he to get an offer.

Bias, who has put a lot of effort into improving Fairmont's overall program, said Trotwood's deadline could affect summer hoops. "A lot of schools get pretty busy in the summer going to different places — shootouts and summer camps and leagues and weight training and shooting," Bias said. "I can't even tell you how busy our summer is. They need a coach so those kids can get ready."

Souder was an assistant coach at Ohio State when Mark Baker played and later an assistant at Hartford and Eastern Kentucky. Souder, once Edgewood's coach, is in his eighth year at Worthington Kilbourne.

"Ike did a great job, Larry won some games, they've got good people there," Souder said. "I just think it's a good situation."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951

or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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