WOODLAWN — The Woodlawn District 209 Board of Education approved the hiring of Brian Gamber as head boys basketball coach during a special meeting Tuesday night.

Gamber returns to lead the Woodlawn Cardinals program after previously serving six seasons on the Cardinals’ coaching staff. Following two years as an assistant under Shane Witzel, Gamber spent four seasons as head coach, compiling a 96-34 record with three regional championships and one sectional title. After guiding the Cardinals to a sectional championship appearance in the 2019-20 season, Gamber left Woodlawn to take the head coaching position at Rend Lake College.

At Rend Lake College, Gamber posted a 39-65 record over four seasons with the Warriors before stepping down following the 2023-24 season.

Most recently, Gamber spent the past two seasons on Tim Holloway’s staff at his alma mater, Mt. Vernon Township High School.

Gamber began his head coaching career at Waltonville during the 2012-13 season, where he coached for two years before moving to Woodlawn.

He currently serves as dean of students at Woodlawn High School.

Assistant coaches will include Blake McKay, who will serve as the junior varsity coach. Volunteer assistants will be Race Rynski, Doug Junkins and Doug Creel.