Published: 4/14/2014 - Updated: 2 minutes ago NOTEBOOK
BY STEVE JUNGA BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Liberty-Bentons Steve Williman wasnt exactly an overnight sensation when he began his high school boys basketball coaching career in 1980.
But, as he exits the profession, Williman will go down as one of the best coaches in Ohio history.
Williman recently announced he has retired from coaching after posting a 551-208 overall record in 33 seasons, including the last 28 years at Liberty-Benton. He guided the Eagles to a 516-133 record, that included 15 20-win seasons, and 16 Blanchard Valley Conference titles.
The high point was 1994-95 when the Eagles went 27-0 and won the Division IV state championship led by seniors Andy Butler and Matt Moser, plus junior A.J. Granger, who would later start on Michigan States NCAA championship team in 2000.
Willimans 2006-07 team, which included Nathan Hyde and then-freshman Aaron Craft, was 26-1 with a loss to Cincinnati North College Hill in the Division III state final.
Hyde later started on the University of Findlays 2009 NCAA Division II national championship team, and Craft recently concluded a much-heralded four-year career at Ohio State.
"It's always difficult to make a decision to give up something you've done for much of your lifetime," said Williman, 57, who will also retire from teaching at the end of the school year. "Our seasons are very long and very demanding. It can get to be a grind at times.
"I just felt it was time for a different face for our program, and time for me to move on to a different phase of my life."
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