Farming It Out

Let's take a look at a few of the top candidates for the Farmington HS boys basketball job

Jamie Thomas – Currently the high-energy girls hoops coach at WL Central, where he's injected the Vikings program with some life again, Thomas was an assistant on West Bloomfield's boys' and girls' Class A final four squads in the early-2000s so he's familiar with the OAA. He played DI ball at Western Kentucky

Ben Kelso – Veteran area head coach and current Lakeland assistant that played in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons in the 1970s and won three straight Class A state crowns at Detroit Cooley (1987, 1988, 1989), Kelso was on the bench at Waterford Kettering last year. Word on the street is that Kelso is hot for the gig.

Jon Djokai – One of the top young assistants and JV coaches in the area, everywhere this guy goes, the program wins (see league titles at Birmingham Seaholm, Bloomfield Hills and Troy Athens the past half-dozen seasons. Right now, Djokai is the JV coach and varsity assistant at Walled Lake Northern. High-character workhorse of a sideline general who knows how to relate to and develop talent.

Matt Mikel – Hometown star of the early 2000s, Mikel is a former Falcons JV coach and currently the freshmen coach and varsity assistant at North Farmington. Strong basketball mind and understanding of coaching principles. 

Mike Maryanski – Longtime area assistant and West Bloomfield head coach Jeremy Denha's No. 1 lieutenant at multiple jobs, the OC Eminem is as deserving of a shot at the top spot.

Pete Mantyla – Another hometown hardwood hero, Mantyla is one of the most respected assistants in the OAA and had a good showing in his brief stint in the head coaching seat crosstown at Farmington Hill Harrison.  He's currently the JV coach and varsity assistant at North Farmington, the position he was in before taking the helm at Harrison.