Elgin basketball coach Hess resigns after one season
Elgin boys basketball coach David Hess has resigned after one season, citing family reasons.
He made the announcement via social media Sunday. The coaching vacancy has been posted on the Elgin Area School District U-46 website since June 25.
"My responsibilities as a husband and father have increased, and to me, that needs to be my top priority," said Hess, 38, who lives in Arlington Heights with his wife, Sara, and their three children.
"A lot changes in a year," he added. "Family is pretty important and anyone who respects that will understand."
The 1999 Hersey High School graduate said he is stepping away from coaching entirely after 16 years, which included a nine-year stint as an assistant coach at Stevenson.
He will continue to work as a counselor at Elgin High and said "I'm excited for my second year in that position."
Hess directed Elgin to a 6-24 record in 2018-19. The Maroons finished ninth in the 10-team Upstate Eight Conference with a 3-15 mark.
Hess will be remembered as the coach who snapped the longest losing streak in Elgin-Larkin series history. The Maroons ended a 16-game skid against rival Larkin with a 55-52 victory on Dec. 21.
Elgin athletic director Paul Pennington was not immediately available for comment.