BY RAEGAN NEUFELD<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 15 seasons, Tony Hobson is stepping down from his position as head coach of the Fort Hays State women\u2019s basketball team, leaving behind a successful program with a winning culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hobson retires as the winningest head coach in program history, compiling a record of 332-121 since the 2008-09 season. He coached the Tigers to four MIAA regular season championships, two MIAA tournament championships and 12 straight seasons with 20 or more wins. During his time, the team also qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament seven times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talia Kahrs acted as an assistant coach for 11 seasons under Hobson and was hired to take over the head coaching job. Hobson\u2019s decision to retire – a decision he said \u201chasn\u2019t really hit yet\u201d- was made easier knowing Kahrs was being promoted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt just kind of assures me that this group’s going to be kept intact, going to be taken care of and going to be well-coached,\u201d Hobson said. \u201cI just look forward to seeing what they can do moving on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hobson came to Fort Hays from Hastings College, where he won three NAIA national titles. According to Hobson, he liked the idea of moving from NAIA to NCAA Division II and the recruitment opportunities that the change brought. It was also a chance for him to focus solely on coaching, instead of coaching and teaching as he had at Hastings, and before that Barton County Community College and Cloud County Community College. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once at Fort Hays, Hobson not only enjoyed the people and players he worked with, but he also enjoyed the challenge of maintaining the success he helped build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI just thought we had built something here, and I just wanted to keep it going, which we have,\u201d he said. \u201cIt’s really difficult to get to the top or near the top like we’ve been, but it’s even harder to stay there. And I just looked at that as a challenge and really liked what we had going here.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, stepping away has still been hard for Hobson, who looks at the relationships with his players as one of the toughest aspects to leave behind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI knew it would be (difficult) when this time came,\u201d he said. \u201cI mean, there’s never been a time in my career, I don’t think, where I would’ve been able to walk away without leaving some players behind. You feel an obligation to them, and you should, so that makes it really hard. I’m leaving behind an exceptional group.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some players, the consistent success of the program and Hobson was a factor in their choice to play at Fort Hays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think the fact that he’s a winner,\u201d said current player Katie Wagner. \u201cHe definitely has a reputation that he’s had really good teams in the past and you can just tell that he is the type of coach that’s going to push you to be the best player that you can be,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two former players, Kacey Kennett and Whitney Randall, also spoke about Hobson\u2019s character in addition to his reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe also just cares for and loves you as an individual and he would do anything for any of his former players or the players that he had now,\u201d Kennett said. \u201cHe’s just a really good guy to know and that’s why I wanted to play for him. I could just tell that he was truly compassionate and caring for each one of his players.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe could get us to run through a brick wall for him,\u201d Randall added. \u201cThen he knew when to tell us he cared for us and that he was there for us, and would bring us into the office and all that stuff. So I’d say he knew what he was doing, obviously. His record shows that, and how long he stayed in the game, but he really did care for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hobson\u2019s impact on the program goes further than just wins. Both Wagner and Randall commented on his ability to recruit players who are not only great athletes, but players who get along well, something he \u201cdidn\u2019t take lightly,\u201d according to Wagner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe girls that he brings in, we all become best friends,\u201d Randall said. \u201cYou need teams that are going to be cohesive and I think he did a really good job of that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hobson and his players have plenty of memories to reminisce about after 15 seasons. While each person talked about the laughs shared in practice, or standout moments in games, or the feeling of playing in front of a large crowd, Hobson said he will remember the players the most, and what they\u2019ve done after graduating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’ve got doctors and coaches and teachers and PAs and PTs and nurses, and they’re just extraordinary people,\u201d he said. \u201cI’ve been really fortunate to be able to be around them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hobson closed with a remark about the support the program gets from the university, the athletic department and the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe get a lot of attention that a lot of programs don’t get, and our players, myself and the coaches understand how fortunate we are and we don’t take that for granted,\u201d he said. \u201cSo just so everybody understands, they’re an important part of this and it means a lot to me and our program and everybody involved that they support us so well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There will be a press conference to officially announce Kahrs\u2019 promotion at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday in the Memorial Union lobby, and there will be an event to celebrate Hobson\u2019s career and retirement at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Robbin\u2019s Center.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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