Hiebner named CHS boys basketball coach

COLUMBUS - In 2001, Dave Hiebner watched the Columbus High boys basketball team from the stands during Class A state championship game. This fall he will watch the Discoverers again, this time from a much better seat.

Hiebner was officially approved as the new head boys basketball coach Monday night at the Columbus Public Schools board meeting. In addition to his coaching duties, Hiebner will also teach social studies.

When the Discoverers coaching position opened more than a month ago following the resignation of Bob Hopp, who was the head coach for 13 years, Hiebner was interested immediately.

“Columbus has had solid tradition,” Hiebner said. “When I think of athletics in Columbus, they have good support from parents and the community. I see a lot of potential.”

Since that championship game, Hiebner, who was then an assistant coach at Bethel College in Kansas, went from coaching basketball at Harvard (NSAA enrollment 87 in 2003) for two seasons to three years at Centennial (2006 enrollment: 176) and now to Columbus High (2007 enrollment: 886).

While coaching at a Class A school was a goal, Hiebner said he wasn't focused on making that leap so soon.

“I look at the situation I'm in so I don't know if I would have imagined it,” he said of going from Harvard to Columbus. “I try to make where I'm at the best job. It was a goal to eventually get to a job like Columbus, but I'm focused on making my current job the best I can.”

Columbus athletic director Brad Hansen said Hiebner's enthusiasm and dynamic personality impressed the selection committee, which included Central Community College coach Jack Gutierrez, former Columbus High coach Jack Johnson and CHS assistant principal Steve Woodside. Also, Columbus High principal Amy Romshek interviewed Hiebner.

“He has a presence to him that exudes confidence,” Hansen said. “He's got a plan to improve the program.”

Hansen said CHS received more than 30 applications for the coaching position that also fit the teaching needs. Out of that pool, eight applicants were brought in for an interview, and Hiebner was offered the position last week.

“It was not an easy decision because we had some very good candidates,” Hansen said. “That made the decision very tough, but we're confident we picked the right guy.”

Hiebner will take over a Discoverer squad that finished 4-17 last season and went 1-8 in games decided by five points or less. Columbus' last appearance state appearance was in 2001, and the team has gone 35-81 (.302 winning percentage) during the past six seasons.

Columbus loses Telegram All-City captain Jason Schlautman, but returns six other players with varsity experience, including forwards Dustin Groteluschen and Brian Cleary.

In addition to taking over the varsity position, Hiebner will also try to revitalize all levels of basketball in the city. Hiebner said he implemented a similar program at Centennial, but the plan will have to be altered to fit the larger scale.

Hiebner, a Henderson native, played at Bethel College under Gary Chubb where he formulated his coaching strategy, which is based off man-to-man defense and a motion offense that can be adapted to different personnel.

Hiebner said the basis of the program will be relationships with the players. He said he looks forward to working with the players this summer and is excited about the possibilities.

“One of big things is building relationships with the kids,” he said. “Nothing can take place with that happening. Hopefully because of those relationships, our kids will enjoy playing basketball.”