On May 11, 2021, the Rock Island-Milan School District Board of Education approved the hire of Marc Polite to be the boys’ head basketball coach at Rock Island High School.
The hire comes after former head coach Thom Sigel announced his retirement early this year. Coach Polite is a familiar face in the Quad Cities and has 20 years of coaching at the NCAA Division 1, Division 2, junior College, and high school levels.
Most recently Coach Polite was the head boys’ basketball coach at Davenport North High School where he led the team to its first State Tournament in 17 years. He led that same program to 30-15 record in two years. The program previously had only two winning seasons over the past 15 years.
“Under my tenure, Rock Island Basketball will be built on doing the little things right both on and off the court. Our student-athletes will set academic, athletic, personal, and professional goals, and together, we will strive, win and have fun while doing it,” said Coach Polite.
Athletic Director Michelle Lillis says Coach Polite will be a great addition to the Rocks, "We are very excited to welcome Coach Marc Polite to the Rock Island School District Coaching family. We are confident that he will become a positive asset to our program, our school, and our community. I believe our athletes will find that Coach Polite will help each one of them grow to be the best they can be.”
Superintendent Dr. Lawrence with Marc Polite and his family
