Joliet Catholic Academy Athletic Director Jim O’Brien is proud to announce Adam DeGroot as the new Head Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Hilltoppers.  DeGroot has spent the last nine years on the basketball staff at JCA under Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Joe Gura, who retired after 49 years of coaching at the end of the 2021-22 season. While on staff at JCA, DeGroot was the Head Sophomore Coach for eight years before becoming an Assistant Varsity Coach last season.

JCA Athletic Director Mr. Jim O’Brien ’92 said, “Coach DeGroot was an easy choice to lead our Hilltoppers. He is a true student of the game and will continue to bring this knowledge to the forefront. He his a leader by example. I am excited to see where he will take our program.”

DeGroot is currently in his 15th year of teaching Physical Education in the Troy 30C School District. During his time coaching basketball at Troy Middle School, his teams won multiple IESA regional/sectional titles including a 4th place finish at the IESA State Finals in 2007. That season, he was named the Illinois Basketball Coaching Association District Coach of the Year.  

DeGroot said, “I am honored and thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead the JCA Basketball Program. Getting to coach under and learn from Coach Gura these past years has been a blessing that has helped me prepare for this moment. JCA has a long tradition of excellence in both academics and athletics, which I am excited to be a part of.”

The Hilltoppers went 14-14 overall during the 2021-2022 season, competing in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, historically one of the top basketball conferences in the state of Illinois. 

DeGroot earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education from Trinity Christian College, where he also played basketball for a season. He also has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University.