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| Thomas More athletics photo |
Thomas More head football coach Jim Hilvert has resigned to take the head football coach position at LaSalle High School.
LaSalle won Ohio's Division II state title this past season, its first state title. Lancers coach Nate Moore recently left to take the coaching position at Massillon, another storied Ohio high school football program.
Thomas More was 8-2 this past season. The Saints made four trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs in Hilvert's eight seasons, twice winning first-round games.
"Coach Hilvert is the winningest coach in Thomas More College history and he will forever be a legend for Thomas More football. We appreciate all he has done to continue the tradition of Thomas More College as one of the premier programs in Division III," said president David A. Armstrong.
"Along with our athletic director Terry Connor, our assistant coaches and student athletes who have made this program what it is, we will continue the great legacy left by Coach Hilvert. We know that he will be a friend of the TMC program for many years to come. We wish him and his family the best of everything as he goes to an outstanding high school here in the Cincinnati region. We've always had an excellent relationship with LaSalle High School and we now know that it will only be made stronger."
"I want to thank Terry Connor and Sister Margaret Stallmeyer for hiring me eight years ago, as well as president Armstrong for his support the past two seasons," Hilvert said. "It has been an unbelievable journey. The success I have had at TMC is a credit to my coaching staff and players. I will always remember the great friendships I have made throughout the time I have been at TMC. Go Saints!"
"On behalf of Thomas More College, I'd like to thank Jim for his dedication and service to our institution and our student-athletes over the last eight years. Jim is not only a great football coach but a great friend and I wish him and his family the best," said Connor.
Hilvert, who just finished his eighth season on the sidelines in Crestview Hills, has earned three Presidents' Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors and six PAC titles, while coaching 47 first team All-PAC players, six D3football.com All-America selections, six PAC Players of the Year, and two Gagliardi Trophy finalists. His career record is 67-19 (.779) with 4 NCAA Division III playoff appearances. During the 2011 season, he guided the Saints to their highest ranking in the history of the D3football.com Top 25, during which they spent most of the season ranked No. 8.
Thomas More College will immediately begin a national search for the head football coach position. The program's record is 183-73 (.709) in its 25 seasons, the winningest program in Division III by win percentage.
"We have an impressive group of student athletes returning and we expect them to continue their dedication on and off the field," said Connor.