Being a head coach at Parkway Central is a big responsibility, especially when filling in the shoes of a Hall of Fame coach and former teacher Rick Kirby. But there is no one better to fill his shoes than new head coach Aaron Mueller. Entering his 15th year as a basketball coach, no one has bigger expectations than Mueller himself.
“My goals for our team this season remain the same as they always were for Coach Kirby, to win a conference championship, and win 20 games,” Mueller said. The expectations have not changed for the Parkway Central Colts and Mueller is no stranger to running a basketball program.
“My dad Kirk Mueller was my high school coach and I believe I’ve been learning how to coach and run a program since I was about 4 years old,” Mueller said.
His father, who was his high school basketball coach, is one of his many mentors.
“I am so thankful for all the people that have helped me get to where I am as a coach, including my dad, Coach Goldenberg, Coach Pannett, and Coach Kirby,” Mueller said.
Along with being a basketball coach, Mueller was also a former football coach here at Parkway Central.
“I loved coaching football. The camaraderie I shared with our football staff was second to none. I also loved the strategic aspect of coaching special teams and trying to make that an advantage we had against our opponent every week,” Mueller said. When Mueller was a coach in the program they had a lot of great years with a lot of playoff wins. “Also, the playoff and state runs we had in football, especially in 2007, 2012, 2013, and 2018 are some of my best memories in coaching,” Mueller said.
This year is his first year not coaching football here at Parkway Central.
“Mueller and I talk all the time and he has been preparing for this for years,” football coach Mark Goldenberg said. “He and I talk about everything from how to deal with parents students and the program as a whole. Mueller was unreal as an assistant, he was organized and unbelievably prepared. And he was very smart and a great football mind. Mueller will do fantastic and I am looking forward to him being great for a long time. I miss him on my staff but am very happy for him.”
The expectations that Mueller has is shown through his players play style and demeanor. One of this year’s seniors, Jayden Littlejohn, who has been in the program for four years, is a key example.
“I expect Muells to bring that same intensity and focus that he’s always had, he also expects the same out of me,” Littlejohn said.
Another senior Caleb Tillis who has been in the program for three years is another key attribute to the team and his goals are set high for the team this season.
“My goal for the team this season is for the team to continue to have fun playing alongside each other, continue to bring defensive intensity and win State as the outcome,” Tillis said.
Mueller will continue to carry on the Parkway Central Basketball legacy with his competitive edge and useful experience. The Colts will look to have a great year with great leadership and great expectations with a 5-1 record.