The talent he will inherit exceeds what any coach would dream of.
His challenge will be just as great.
With Jabari Parker, Kendrick Nunn, Kendall Pollard and Jaylon Tate off to college and Robert Smith looking to get there as well, 2013-14 promises to be another intriguing season for the Illinois-record seven-time state champs.
Smith won six of those titles in nine seasons since replacing his mentor and the program's architect, Bob Hambric.
With the college coaching and industry friends he's made along the way, there's no reason to think he won't land himself a Division I assistant job in the coming weeks.
Far less accomplished Public League coaches have made the jump, and while Derrick Rose and Parker obviously had a lot to do with his success, there's no doubt Smith can coach.
He's intelligent, charming and calculating, and he'll bring something to the table as a recruiter as well as a motivator and a basketball mind.
Leonard Thomas, the sophomore coach like Smith and Hambric before him, is the likely successor.
The cupboard is far from bare, but the challenge will be to maintain Simeon's status as one the nation's truly elite programs.
The core of the team will be current 6-foot-7 sophomores D.J. Williams and Edward Morrow, 6-5 junior Donte Ingram and freshmen Zack Norvell and Ben Coupet.
They're all Division I prospects, but it will the first time in years that none of the returning Wolverines played a significant role the previous season.
It remains to be seen whether Simeon can continue the championship run, but it's clear the competition will be stiff. Here's a look at four teams who will pose serious threats to the Wolverines next season.
Young
Jahlil Okafor, Paul White, L.J. Peak and Miles Reynolds were easily the best group of juniors in the state, and they'll be formidable whether or not the 6-4 Peak, a transfer from South Carolina, returns. Coach Tyrone Slaughter denied an Internet report which, citing unnamed sources, claimed Peak planned to move back to South Carolina.
"I don't put any validity into that," Slaughter said. "I have not had any discussions with him."
Asked whether he expected Peak to return, Slaughter said, "I have no reason think otherwise."
If he does, Young is the clear preseason favorite. He's a terrific two-way player with numerous high-major suitors.
Curie
Speaking of transfer rumors, Cliff Alexander has been the subject of them over the last several weeks. Coach Mike Oliver said his 6-9 junior isn't going anywhere, so we can hope for another showdown or two with Okafor. The last one was compelling, as was the play of the Stamps brothers, junior Joseph and sophomore Josh, in Curie's 62-58 loss to Young in the Argo Sectional. If Curie gets better point guard play next year, the Condors could finally get over the hump. Joseph Stamps, who was out for disciplinary reasons most of the season, is a natural 2, but he makes so many plays that perhaps he can make the adjustment.
Stevenson
