Update: CBC Hires Justin Tatum As Head Basketball Coach

CBC announced the hiring of Justin Tatum, a 1997 graduate of the school and the current Head Coach at Soldan as the next Cadets Boys Varisty Basketball Coach Thursday evening. 

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch was first to report the hiring.

"We received resumes from many coaches with proven track records of success in directing high school basketball programs. The Selection Committee was unanimous in its opinion that Justin Tatum was the best choice for CBC High School," Athletic Director Rocky Streb said in a statement, which indicated national interest in the job.

A search committee included Football Coach Scott Pingel, Soccer Coach Terry Michler, and former NFL defensive back Justin Lucas, a teacher and administrator at the school. 

Tatum took to Twitter to talk about the move.

"It's official I'm going back home!!! Thank you CBC family for this opportunity. #cadetnation #timetogotowork"

although he continues on as a teacher at the school. CBC reached the District Finals before falling to De Smet Jesuit for the second time in a week, following a season that began with sky-high expectations for a club featuring a trio of players being recruited by Division I basketball programs.

At the time the change was announced, the CBC administration dismissed the idea that a coach, like Tatum, had already been identified. 

Tatum is the father of Jayson Tatum, the rising Chaminade sophomore who earned all Metro Catholic Conference honors and was the Co-Player of the Year, a first for a Freshman. Speculation will now build over the younger Tatum's future and if he would transfer.

Tatum told the Post-Dispatch Thursday, "Our son goes to Chaminade."

Reached Thursday, Chaminade Head Coach Kelvin Lee said it was a "great hire". Lee said he had not had discussions with Jayson Tatum about the potential for a transfer, but added, "who am I to stop him...blood is thicker than water if that's what he wants to do...I would never fight that," he said

Missouri State High School Activities Association rules generally call for athletes to sit out a year when transferring, but there are exceptions. Damon Patterson, of Chaminade, was able to play immediately after a transfer from Whitfield School, for instance.

Patterson's father took to Twitter Thursday as word leaked out about the hire:

"Congrats go out to Justin Tatum the New Head Coach at CBC. Good luck Justin wish u the best. The MCC just got even more difficult," Damon A. Patterson Tweeted.