Matt Hodge steps down as Hillsboro Indians football coach
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
After three seasons at the helm of Hillsboro Indians football, Matt Hodge announced his retirement Tuesday, April 12.
Hodge met with his team at the noon lunch hour and said goodbye to each player individually before holding a press conference for local media.
“Hillsboro High School head football coach Matt Hodge has announced his decision that he will not be returning as our head football coach,” Hillsboro High School athletic director Dave Dietrick stated in a press release.
“I met with Matt this morning, and he has just met with and made the announcement to our current football team.
“We want to thank Coach Hodge for all his passion and effort the past three seasons as our football coach," Dietrick said. "The Hillsboro athletic family is going to miss Matt working with our athletes and for being a very meaningful part of our entire athletic department. Coach Hodge has provided exceptional leadership to the young men in our football program.”
Hodge said that it was a “family decision,” as he is married with three children, ages 12, 6 and a newborn.
“As a coach, you talk about how important family is, and you have to step back and see what’s best for you and your family,” Hodge said.
Hodge has been the head football coach at HHS for the past three years. Hodge coached the East Clinton Astros for seven seasons before arriving at Hillsboro, as he led the Astros to four straight Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference (SBAAC) championships (2008-11) and two playoff appearances in 2008 and 2010.
Taking over as the head coach of a program that finished 0-10 the previous season, the Indians finished with a 7-23 record in the past three seasons. Under Hodge, the Indians won the Rotary Bowl in 2014 by a 20-8 score at McClain.
After 10 years as head coach, Hodge said the adjustment will be “strange.”
“To not be getting ready for two-a-days, that will be new to me,” Hodge said. “I’m sure it’s going to be a strange world.”
Hodge said that he would “not rule out the possibility” of coaching again as his children get older, “just not right now.”
“I know football takes a lot of time, long games on Friday nights, back on Saturday mornings, weightlifting … it’s a year-round job,” Hodge said.
Hodge said that he will miss “the relationships” with his staff and players.
“We have a great coaching staff and great kids,” Hodge said. “I demanded a lot of these kids, and they rose to the occasion. That’s what I’ll miss.
“It’s been a total team effort with all of the kids. I’ll cherish those relationships.”
Hodge also thanked the community and administration.
“Thank you to the administration, Hillsboro parents and the community for supporting our athletes,” Hodge said. “Thank you for all the donations to help pay for team meals and helping taking care of our kids.”
Dietrick said that Hodge will continue teaching in the Hillsboro City Schools system, as he is currently employed as an eighth-grade special education teacher.
“I’d love to still have him as a coach, and I have to get over that,” Dietrick said. “He has provided outstanding leadership to young people. I appreciate the accountability factor and what he’s brought to the school environment.
“We want to extend to Matt Hodge and his family the best wishes for the future.”
Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education member Terry Britton also attended the announcement.
Dietrick said that he will be posting the position immediately with the Ohio High School Athletic Association and hopes to get the interview process started “as soon as possible.”
“By June, ideally, I’d like to hire someone,” Dietrick said.
Hodge met with his team at the noon lunch hour and said goodbye to each player individually before holding a press conference for local media.
“Hillsboro High School head football coach Matt Hodge has announced his decision that he will not be returning as our head football coach,” Hillsboro High School athletic director Dave Dietrick stated in a press release.
“I met with Matt this morning, and he has just met with and made the announcement to our current football team.
“We want to thank Coach Hodge for all his passion and effort the past three seasons as our football coach," Dietrick said. "The Hillsboro athletic family is going to miss Matt working with our athletes and for being a very meaningful part of our entire athletic department. Coach Hodge has provided exceptional leadership to the young men in our football program.”
Hodge said that it was a “family decision,” as he is married with three children, ages 12, 6 and a newborn.
“As a coach, you talk about how important family is, and you have to step back and see what’s best for you and your family,” Hodge said.
Hodge has been the head football coach at HHS for the past three years. Hodge coached the East Clinton Astros for seven seasons before arriving at Hillsboro, as he led the Astros to four straight Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference (SBAAC) championships (2008-11) and two playoff appearances in 2008 and 2010.
Taking over as the head coach of a program that finished 0-10 the previous season, the Indians finished with a 7-23 record in the past three seasons. Under Hodge, the Indians won the Rotary Bowl in 2014 by a 20-8 score at McClain.
After 10 years as head coach, Hodge said the adjustment will be “strange.”
“To not be getting ready for two-a-days, that will be new to me,” Hodge said. “I’m sure it’s going to be a strange world.”
Hodge said that he would “not rule out the possibility” of coaching again as his children get older, “just not right now.”
“I know football takes a lot of time, long games on Friday nights, back on Saturday mornings, weightlifting … it’s a year-round job,” Hodge said.
Hodge said that he will miss “the relationships” with his staff and players.
“We have a great coaching staff and great kids,” Hodge said. “I demanded a lot of these kids, and they rose to the occasion. That’s what I’ll miss.
“It’s been a total team effort with all of the kids. I’ll cherish those relationships.”
Hodge also thanked the community and administration.
“Thank you to the administration, Hillsboro parents and the community for supporting our athletes,” Hodge said. “Thank you for all the donations to help pay for team meals and helping taking care of our kids.”
Dietrick said that Hodge will continue teaching in the Hillsboro City Schools system, as he is currently employed as an eighth-grade special education teacher.
“I’d love to still have him as a coach, and I have to get over that,” Dietrick said. “He has provided outstanding leadership to young people. I appreciate the accountability factor and what he’s brought to the school environment.
“We want to extend to Matt Hodge and his family the best wishes for the future.”
Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education member Terry Britton also attended the announcement.
Dietrick said that he will be posting the position immediately with the Ohio High School Athletic Association and hopes to get the interview process started “as soon as possible.”
“By June, ideally, I’d like to hire someone,” Dietrick said.