Callahan headed back to college

New Life Academy girls basketball coach Matt Callahan announced June 6 that he has accepted the same position at Crown College in St. Bonifacius. "My time at New Life has been extremely special for me," Callahan said in an email to team supporters. "But this is an opportunity I cannot pass up if I am to be the father and husband that God has called me to be." In addition to becoming the Storm's coach, Callahan will also serve as the school's Director of Athletic Fundraising, while also completing his Master's Degree. "It's something I had to do for my family," he said. Callahan came to New Life Academy before the 2006-07 season after serving as the head coach at Trinity International University in Illinois for three seasons, where he led the Trojans to just their fourth 20-win season in the program's history. His time at New Life was the most successful stretch of basketball in the school's history as Callahan led the squad to a 54-8 record in two seasons that culminated with a third-place finish in the Class A State Tournament last March. The Eagles have won 27 consecutive games in the Minnesota Christian Athletic Association and are the two-time defending conference champions. "It's certainly a huge loss for us," New Life Athletic Director Curt Wetsel said. "He was a coach that the girls had great confidence in." Wetsel said the search for a successor will begin with no clear-cut candidate to take over at this time. The A.D. had cultivated a close relationship with Callahan after serving as the assistant coach and said that on a personal and professional level, the coach will be missed. "It's more like losing a brother than a friend," Wetsel said. "I wish him the best — we'll be in touch and I'll certainly be following how Crown College does."