By Brady O’Neil – Staff Reporter

Mr. McPartland was recently promoted to Head Coach of the Jonathan Law boys basketball team. Advocate Staff Reporter Brady O’Neil interviewed McPartland about the 2025-2026 season.

BO: How does it feel to be named Head Coach of the Jonathan Law basketball team?

CM: It’s an incredible honor that I most definitely am not taking lightly. Coach Anderson has certainly left some big shoes to fill, but I am so thankful for everything I have learned under his tutelage. It is in large part because of having worked with him that I feel prepared to take on this new role. 

BO: What are your main goals for the program in your first year as Head Coach?

CM: Everyone’s goal is to be the “last team standing” at Mohegan Sun in March. However, we know for that to happen, we need to break that long-term goal down into bits and pieces. Ultimately, our goal is to focus on getting better every single day – to focus on the process, not the product. The more we focus on the end goal, the more we lose sight of what it’s all about. 

BO: What are you most excited about for this upcoming season?

CM: I am most excited about continuing to improve and strengthen the already strong relationships I have with the coaches and players. I believe this happens best by overcoming difficult citations and challenges together. As such,I look forward to the daily grind and to getting after it with the team. 

BO: Can you describe your coaching style or philosophy?

CM: On the court, I am a big believer in playing a fast-paced style of hoops – we are going to look to make things happen both offensively and defensively as opposed to waiting and seeing if they happen. We will continue to build upon the culture of accountability, discipline, hard work, and that “UBUNTU”, “I am because we are” mentality that Coach Anderson has established. I am looking forward to helping our student-athletes develop both on the court as players and off the court as humans, compete at a high level, and represent Law with pride 

BO: What impact do you hope to have on your players beyond basketball?

I hope that our players learn something from the game of basketball that will ultimately change their lives for the better. Whether that’s the importance of punctuality, doing the little things every single day, or the importance of having discipline in their lives, there are lessons we can all learn from having played sports that can be incredibly impactful. Most importantly, I hope our players know that I will always be there for them and that so much of life is about the relationships we have with others.