Mark Brockett was not the kind of coach who just blew his whistle and barked orders during Monday conditioning practices.

When it came time to run the stairs, or head out to the track to run the mile, the Lemont High School varsity boys’ volleyball coach was right there with his team, working up a sweat.

“It was something he always did with us,” said LHS senior Zach Crouse.

“Conditioning was always fun with him,” added fellow senior Greg Husa.

Now the students are mourning the loss of Brockett, 25, of Elwood, who was killed Sunday, Aug. 23, after being struck by a car in Joliet.

Brockett had been walking south in the southbound lane of Chicago Street when he was struck by a 1996 Honda Civic at about 4:45 a.m., said Joliet Police Chief Fred Hayes.

“He was wearing dark clothing, and the driver could barely see him,” Hayes said.

The driver of the Civic immediately pulled over after the accident, police said. The initial impact had thrown Brockett into the northbound lane, where he was then struck by a 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix. That driver also pulled over after the impact.

“(Brockett) was deceased at the scene,” Hayes said.

The cause of death was massive blunt force trauma to the head and body, police said.

Police still are trying to determine why Brockett had been walking on that road. Hayes said alcohol was not a factor for either driver. Officials are waiting on toxicology reports for Brockett, which could take several weeks.

The news of Brockett’s death has shocked those at Lemont High School.

“The Lemont High School community is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mark Brockett, who served our students admirably as both a teacher and coach,” said Tony Hamilton, spokesman for Lemont High School District 210. “We extend our sympathy to his family, and will work together as a community to provide them support during this very difficult time.”

Brockett has worked for Lemont High School since 2007, most recently serving as an assistant intervention advocate. Last spring, he served as the school’s volleyball coach.

“He was very encouraging,” Zach said. “And he was always giving us 100 percent of his effort.”

“I definitely liked playing under him,” Greg said. “He was a really good coach.”

School Athletic Director John Young described Brockett as a coach full of energy and enthusiasm.

“He was a young coach, but he had a great rapport with his athletes,” he said. “He brought a lot of passion, intensity and enthusiasm, and these kids are definitely going to miss Mark as their coach.”

The school wants to carry on Brockett’s efforts to build the volleyball program, Young added.

“We’ve adopted the phrase ‘Keep Going,’ because that’s what he told our kids often: ‘Through the face of adversity, to keep going,’” he said. “It’s our intent to continue in that vein, and our kids are strong and resilient. We’re going to do that for Mark.”

Brockett also worked for WJOL Radio in Joliet, assisting with high school football broadcasts, and served as a summer counselor for the Joliet Park District.

Reporter Dave Owen contributed to this article.