Wintz resigns as Hutchinson High boys basketball coach

May 16--Hutchinson High boys basketball coach Chad Wintz has resigned after two seasons, citing personal and family reasons.

Wintz made the announcement to his team Monday afternoon.

"I have decided to resign my position as head boys' basketball coach at Hutchinson High School due to personal and family reasons," Wintz said in a press release. "I severely underestimated the time and commitment that it would take away from them. In general, I am proud of the players that I was able to coach over the past two seasons. I appreciate their efforts, and I believe our culture is better as a result of their efforts."

Wintz was a Rule 10 coach, meaning he was not employed elsewhere in USD 308. He works for Fee Insurance Group.

Wintz took over a Salthawks program that was in the beginning stages of a massive rebuild. The Salthawks were 4-17 the season before.

Hutchinson went 2-19 in Wintz's first season and 4-17 this season, although the Salthawks were routinely competitive.

The high moment was a thrilling overtime win at Valley Center this season, when senior Kolby Holmberg hit an off-balance, well-defended 25-footer at the buzzer.

The Salthawks graduated a solid senior class, but do have some pieces returning, including starting point guard Davian Vigil, forward Tre'Vaughn Jones, reserve guard Max Ontjes and reserve forward Chance Heitschmidt.

Wintz also coached Hutchinson Middle School-7 for a season, and he also coached Hutchinson Community College's men's team from 2001 to 2006. The 2003-04 Blue Dragons won the Jayhawk West.

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