Thomas More College head football coach Jim Hilvert has resigned to take the same position at LaSalle High School, a top football program in the nation.
“Coach Hilvert is the winningest coach in Thomas More College history and he will forever be a legend for Thomas More football,” said Thomas More President David A. Armstrong. “We appreciate all he has done to continue the tradition of Thomas More College as one of the premier programs in Division III.
“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.”
Hilvert, who just finished his eighth season on the sidelines in Crestview Hills, has earned three Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Coach of the Year honors and six PAC titles, while coaching 47 first team All-PAC players, six All-Americans, six PAC Players of the Year, and two Gagliardi Trophy finalists.
His career record is 67-19 (.779) with four NCAA Division III playoff appearances. During the 2011 season, he guided the Saints to their highest ranking in school history when they received 805 votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top-25 poll and were ranked No. 6 in the nation after week four.
“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,” said Connor. “Jim is not only a great football coach but a great friend and I wish him and his family the best. We have an impressive group of student athletes returning and we expect them to continue their dedication on and off the field.”
Thomas More will immediately begin a national search for the head football coach position.
The school’s 25-year program record is 183-73 (.709), the most successful program in Division III by win percentage.
“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.”
From TMC Athletics