Metamora coach passes torch to his successor at final summer camp

METAMORA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Justin Dehm and Danny Grieves go way back.

“My earliest memories as a basketball player was going to the Danny Grieves basketball camp at Spalding Gym when he was coach at Notre Dame. Or at Superstar Sports Center in Peoria,” said Dehm, the former Richwoods star basketball player. “We and coach Grieves have been together for a long time.”

Grieves, the retiring coach at Metamora, has conducted summer basketball camps for 40 years. That’s a lot of kids.

But he does remember Dehm, who has been hired to succeed Grieves.

“I remember having him in camp and talking through everything I teach,” Grieves said. “Now it’s him doing the same thing. The same (teachings) come out of his mouth.”

This is the week the baton officially gets passed. Grieves’ last function as Metamora’s coach is this week’s Redbird youth basketball camp which bears his name one final time.

After 44 years coaching, the past 13 at Metamora, Grieves is hanging up his whistle. And Dehm is set to take over.

“I guess this is the official week when the torch is passed,” said Dehm. “Coach Grieves officially hands the keys to me. It’s a little emotional.”

The four-day camp ends Thursday and when Grieves walks out of the gym, he indeed plans on passing his keys off to his successor.

“I’ll hand him the keys and say, ‘It’s all yours, baby,'” Grieves said.

This summer of transition for Dehm is underway. He coached the Redbirds at the Richwoods Shootout last weekend.

He sat next to Grieves on the Metamora bench as an assistant for 11 years. He helped Metamora take second at state in 2022 and win state in 2023.

But it’s starting to hit him that he’s now the head coach.

“I’ve learned so much from Coach Grieves over the years. I can’t thank him enough for everything he taught me and our coaching staff,” said Dehm. “It’s been amazing.”

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