UPDATED: Matt Hodge selected as next Hillsboro head football coach
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Matt Hodge was named the new head football coach at Hillsboro High School this week, after official approval from the Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education Wednesday evening.
Hodge coached the East Clinton Astros for the past seven seasons, 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.
"Once Coach (Brian) Spicer left, Hillsboro had an opening, and knowing the history of Hillsboro, I applied," Hodge said. "I then went through the interview process and was lucky enough to be chosen."
Hillsboro City Schools Superintendent Rick Earley confirmed this week that board members would have Hodge's proposed employment in their March 20 meeting packet of information.
During the '10 season, Hodge's Astros lost Week 1, then followed that with eight consecutive wins before losing in the regular-season finale and playoffs.
The new HHS coach has an overall varsity coaching mark of 38-34, all at EC. Last season, the first year for the Astros in the South Central Ohio League, the Astros finished with a 3-7 mark, including a 31-26 win over Hillsboro at Richards Memorial Field on Homecoming 2012 in which the Astros scored nine fourth-quarter points to overcome a 26-22 second-half deficit.
Hodge also spoke about what he wants his players to gain this upcoming season.
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"I want football to be a great experience for the kids," he said. "Playing high school football is special, and I want this to be a special opportunity.
"Teaching the fundamentals of the game is very important to me. I'm a fundamentals guy, and if you have those, the X's and O's will take care of themselves."
Hodge, who is replacing Brian Spicer, is taking over a program that has four wins in the past three seasons, including an 0-10 mark last season, as that was preceded by consecutive 2-8 seasons.
Hodge's teams have won seven or more games in a season three times and have had four seasons over .500 in the past seven years.
"I know the past couple years, the program didn't have the wins it wanted, but we are ready to work. If we continue to work, we can obtain the wins," Hodge said.
East Clinton is presently looking for a successor for Coach Hodge, according to AD Jim Marsh.
Hodge also spoke about the South Central Ohio League and becoming a part of the Hillsboro community.
"The SCOL is a very tough football league," he said. "With Clinton-Massie being a state champion, then with all the other schools in the league, this league is very good.
"I'm looking forward to working with the kids in the weight room and getting the season started. I'm excited to become a part of the Hillsboro community, and I hope to integrate the football program even more into the community."
Hodge coached the East Clinton Astros for the past seven seasons, 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.
"Once Coach (Brian) Spicer left, Hillsboro had an opening, and knowing the history of Hillsboro, I applied," Hodge said. "I then went through the interview process and was lucky enough to be chosen."
Hillsboro City Schools Superintendent Rick Earley confirmed this week that board members would have Hodge's proposed employment in their March 20 meeting packet of information.
During the '10 season, Hodge's Astros lost Week 1, then followed that with eight consecutive wins before losing in the regular-season finale and playoffs.
The new HHS coach has an overall varsity coaching mark of 38-34, all at EC. Last season, the first year for the Astros in the South Central Ohio League, the Astros finished with a 3-7 mark, including a 31-26 win over Hillsboro at Richards Memorial Field on Homecoming 2012 in which the Astros scored nine fourth-quarter points to overcome a 26-22 second-half deficit.
Hodge also spoke about what he wants his players to gain this upcoming season.
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"I want football to be a great experience for the kids," he said. "Playing high school football is special, and I want this to be a special opportunity.
"Teaching the fundamentals of the game is very important to me. I'm a fundamentals guy, and if you have those, the X's and O's will take care of themselves."
Hodge, who is replacing Brian Spicer, is taking over a program that has four wins in the past three seasons, including an 0-10 mark last season, as that was preceded by consecutive 2-8 seasons.
Hodge's teams have won seven or more games in a season three times and have had four seasons over .500 in the past seven years.
"I know the past couple years, the program didn't have the wins it wanted, but we are ready to work. If we continue to work, we can obtain the wins," Hodge said.
East Clinton is presently looking for a successor for Coach Hodge, according to AD Jim Marsh.
Hodge also spoke about the South Central Ohio League and becoming a part of the Hillsboro community.
"The SCOL is a very tough football league," he said. "With Clinton-Massie being a state champion, then with all the other schools in the league, this league is very good.
"I'm looking forward to working with the kids in the weight room and getting the season started. I'm excited to become a part of the Hillsboro community, and I hope to integrate the football program even more into the community."