Kyler Works, a Decatur, Illinois native and high school coach, wrapped up his first season back coaching at the middle school level with an inspiring journey.
In his recent Facebook post, Works shared how his team, a group of inexperienced players, made incredible strides by the second semester.
What started as a rough season quickly turned into a story of growth and confidence. By the end of the year, his players had improved tenfold, and Works couldn’t be prouder of how hard they worked and how far they came.
“Most fun I’ve had coaching in 2-3 years!” Kyler wrote in his post, reflecting on the joy and pride he felt in his team’s development.
Despite the challenges of coaching a group with little experience, he saw his team grow into confident players, executing plays with more skill and determination.
“They were 10x better and played harder with more confidence,” Works said, emphasizing the dramatic turnaround.
For Kyler, this season was not just about winning games; it was about seeing his players grow and gain confidence they didn’t have at the start.
But what truly made the season special for Kyler was coaching his son, Kyan, who played up two grade levels.
Kyler beamed with pride as he reflected on his son’s growth and ability to keep up with older players.
Kyan’s basketball IQ allowed him to compete with the upperclassmen, but Kyler knows the next step is for his son to develop physically to match his mental game.
The focus for Kyan in the coming years will be learning to play with less emotion, something Kyler is working on with him, though it’s clear that Kyan’s passion for the game fuels his drive.
Kyler also took a moment to acknowledge the negative coaching experiences Kyan had in the past, which had shaken his confidence.
“S/O to the coaches that killed his confidence previously, Dad got it higher than it’s ever been,” Kyler wrote, proudly sharing how he rebuilt Kyan’s self-esteem.
This season, Kyler never intended to coach his son, but once he saw the way his confidence had grown, he knew it was the right decision.
Kyler’s coaching experience and dedication to his team are shaped by his long-standing career in education and athletics.
Currently, Kyler is a Teaching Assistant and High School Boys Basketball Coach at Decatur Public Schools, a role he’s been in since 2019.
Before that, he coached at Robertson Charter School from 2018 to 2019, and from 2013 to 2018, he was a Teaching Assistant and Basketball Coach at Decatur Public Schools.
In addition to his work in schools, Kyler’s career includes an elite-level athletic background, including a memorable stint with the Harlem Globetrotters in 2017.
This experience not only helped him fine-tune his basketball skills but also strengthened his understanding of what it takes to build team morale and individual confidence.
Along with his basketball experience, Kyler has also pursued higher education, currently working towards his Bachelor’s in Communication and Media Studies at Southern New Hampshire University, where he made the President’s List for the Spring semester.
His background in communication and media adds a valuable layer to his coaching, allowing him to connect with his players in a way that emphasizes not just the fundamentals of the game but also leadership, discipline, and teamwork.
Prior to that, Kyler Works was a standout athlete at Lincoln College, where he was a member of the men’s basketball team.
Through his years of coaching, Kyler has learned that the key to success isn’t always about wins; it’s about helping players develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed on their own.
His commitment to fostering that environment of growth is evident in his post-season reflections and in the development he’s seen in his players, especially his son.
Looking ahead, Kyler is already gearing up for the next season. He knows the work doesn’t stop just because the season ended.
With a stronger, more confident group of players, he’s excited to continue mentoring them on their basketball journey, knowing that each season is an opportunity for growth — for both his team and himself.
