The Perryille Pirates boys basketball team will have a new face at the helm this winter. Perry County School District 32 has hired Crystal City native Eli Sample to take over the program after former coach Chris Hahn stepped away after last season.
Sample, a former college and professional basketball player and trainer, said he’s eager to take over.
“It’s been really exciting,” Sample said. “I’m really looking forward to this next stage of my career. I’m retiring, hanging up playing, and I’m really looking to get into this coaching side of things. This is a really good opportunity for me.”
Sample grew up in Crystal City and played against Perryville in high school, so he feels a connection to the community and wants to make an impact in the area.
“I grew up playing against Perryville, and it was a bigger school,” Sample said. “I know they have a good athletic background, and I just felt like it would be a good start for me as a head coach to be able to come in and make an impact, with me playing all over the world and stuff. I feel like this is kind of part of my community, where I played against these schools in high school. I hope to make an impact and share some of the knowledge I’ve gained over the years playing and learning from the coaches I’ve had and the other players that I’ve competed against and played along with.
“Just to be able to get back where I am from and make an impact — I felt like Perryville was a great start for me.”
In high school, Sample averaged 19.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during his senior year at Crystal City and finished with a career scoring average of 16.9 points in 47 games, including 77 three-pointers. After graduating from Crystal City, Sample, 32, began his college career at Three Rivers Community College, where he played for legendary coach Gene Bess, before moving to Southwest Baptist University and playing his senior season as a walk-on at Southeast Missouri.
During his college career, Sample scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds in six games during his 2015-2016 season, averaging 9.5 minutes off the bench. After graduating, Sample pursued his certification as a personal trainer at DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, Fla., before returning home to begin his coaching career as a varsity assistant at Gateway Science Academy in St. Louis, and the junior varsity boys basketball coach at Northwest High School in House Springs.
At the same time, Sample served as a member of the St. Louis Trotters, a semi-professional team that competed across the country. After his time with the Trotters, Sample played professionally in four leagues in four countries, including Mexico, El Salvador, and Australia, along with the Wenatchee (Wash.) Bighorns of The Basketball League.
While playing in Australia, Sample also started his own basketball training brand called Smooth Hoops, through which he hosted camps and trained athletes of all levels.
Now retired from playing, Sample said he is excited to transition back into coaching, bringing the knowledge and experience he gained as a player to help lead the Perryville program in a positive direction.
“I felt like it was time to hang them up and get to that next stage in my career,” Sample said. “I always wanted to coach, so I really felt like it was a great opportunity for me to come to Perryville. I think I’ve got some really good knowledge and things that I can help share with these boys. With the knowledge I’ve come across with the coaches I’ve had and the players I’ve been able to learn from, I feel like I’m going to be able to lead this program in the right direction to where we can have a strong season and an even stronger future.”
Sample said Smooth Hoops will still be an off-season focus. His main priority will be his new role with the Pirates, where he plans to get settled in the community and work closely with the students and athletes.
“I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do with [Smooth Hoops] moving forward,” Sample said. I’m focused on getting settled in down here. We’ll see what the future brings with that. I’m super excited to be a part of the community. I plan on moving out here as well soon, so I can fully become a part of it. I’m just looking forward to being a part of the school, getting to know the students and the athletes, and just being able to be part of the program and build something strong here in the community. That’s something positive for the community, and I’m looking forward to it.”
