Hilgenberg resigns at Coshocton

COSHOCTON – Tom Hilgenberg had several great seasons as the head coach of the Coshocton Redskins boys basketball team.

After one of his best coaching jobs in his 13 years with the program, he has decided to call it quits.

Hilgenberg submitted his resignation to the school Monday and the Redskins will be looking for their first head coach since the 2002-2003 season.

"I appreciate the school board and the administration giving me the opportunity to coach here for 13 years," Hilgenberg said. "I've been coaching a long time and I've been blessed to have so many great kids and people around me that has made this job so special over the years."

During Hilgenberg's tenure, the Redskins compiled a 156-138 record and his teams were sectional champions in 2004, 2005, 2012, and 2013. They were also district champions in 2012 and ECOL Champions in 2010 and 2011.

He was also named the Eastern District coach of the year and Division III state co-coach of the year in 2015.

After going 4-19 in 2013-2014, Hilgenberg helped lead the Redskins to a 13-10 mark this past season, a nine-game improvement.

For his players, Hilgenberg was more than just a basketball coach.

"I benefited the most from him in a mentor aspect," senior Dylan Brown said. "He made me see the big picture and helped me view life from an older, wiser perspective."

Despite losing five seniors to graduation, the program's next head coach will have some talent at his disposal.

The varsity team could have as many as seven players returning as well as a compliment of players from a reserve team that lost just two games this past season.

Hilgenberg plans to remain a teacher at the district and he hopes the program will continue to progress in a positive direction.

"The program is definitely on the upswing," he said. "I hope this season's turnaround can carry over into the future."

Coshocton athletic director Tim Fortney added that Hilgenberg was great for the program and will be tough to replace.

"We have been very fortunate to have Tom Hilgenberg as our head boys basketball coach," Fortney stated. "He has done a great job and we wish him the best. His leadership within our program will be missed."

Fortney added there will be an immediate search for a head coach.

jmickeyjr@gannett.com

Twitter: @TribuneJJMickey