(Story taken from the Rhodes College website)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Herb Hilgeman, who just completed
his 34th year as the Rhodes head basketball coach, announced today
will retire from his position at Rhodes effective May 15.
Herb is the dean of college coaches in the Memphis area having
served as the Lynx head basketball coach since 1976.
Hilgeman arrived to Rhodes in 1976 taking over a struggling Lynx
program. He quickly shaped Rhodes into a nationally
recognized program posting a 16-9 record in his third year and a
22-6 record in his fourth year, earning the Lynx their first-ever
invitation to the NCAA Division III national tournament. In
Hilgeman's 5th year Rhodes returned to the NCAA tournament and
advanced to the Elite Eight finishing the 1981-82 season with
a 23-3 record. Current Memphis University School assistant
basketball coach Matt Bakke, the point guard on the those fabulous
Lynx teams, had this to say about his coach. "It's been an
honor and a privilege to be associated with Herb Hilgeman. He
brought out the best in me as a player. Herb's love of
basketball, work-ethic and caring attitude toward his players
inspired me to become a coach. I will forever treasure his
leadership, wisdom, and most of all, or friendship."
Another great run of success began when prep stars Mike Gonda
(CBHS) and brothers Thomas and Albert Johnson (MUS) arrived to
Rhodes for the 1990-91 season. During Gonda and the Johnson's
four year career the Lynx posted a 78-23 mark, won two College
Athletic Conference titles, and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the
NCAA Division III tournament in 1992-93. The 1991-92 team won
twenty straight games, which was the longest NCAA Division III
winning streak in the nation that year. Rhodes produced
several other outstanding teams in the 90's and the Lynx ranked in
the top twenty in the nation in winning percentage during this
period.
Coach Hilgeman became with winningest coach in Southern Collegiate
Athletic Conference history when the Lynx defeated Principia on
November 16, 2009 earning Coach Hilgeman his 464th victory at
Rhodes.
"Herb Hilgeman is a person of great character and he's the
consummate professional. His integrity, ethics and morals are
impeccable. Coach Hilgeman has been a friend and mentor to
hundreds of Rhodes student-athletes and staff who've had the good
fortune to interact with him during his tenure at Rhodes," said
Mike Clary, Rhodes Director of Athletics. "We are grateful for his
service to Rhodes and we wish him well."
Rhodes will begin a national search immediately to hire a new head
basketball coach.