Hall said Monday that when he initially discussed the job with THS athletics director Brandon Parker, they viewed the position as being a bridge between longtime coach Randy Kraft and a new coach after a year or two.

“They wanted me to continue to coach this year, but my youngest son will be a freshman next year and will play games at the same time the varsity girls play,” Hall said in an email. “Seven years ago I got out of coaching at Piper to watch my own kids play. I want to see my own kids play.

“Jacob will be a freshman and Kaitlin will be a senior. If I were the girls head coach at Tongie, it wouldn’t happen.”

Hall guided the Chieftains to a substate championship in March against Piper on the Pirates’ home court.

THS finished the season 7-15, but the Chieftains saw marked improvement as the year progressed. The team’s high point came in the Class 4A Division I semifinals when THS upset Sumner Academy, 46-41, in overtime. The Sabres were the top seed in the substate.

“We had a very good season this year and the girls were awesome,” Hall said. “They worked hard at practice and we had no issues all year. Getting that signature win in the sub-state game advancing to the finals was very exciting for our girls.

“I think this team overachieved this year by winning seven games and advancing the to the sub-state championship.”

Hall said it overall was a great experience but “it’s time to be a dad.”

Hall has coached for 21 years, starting as an assistant boys coach at Piper for three years before serving as head boys coach for 15 years at PHS.

He was assistant girls coach at THS in 2009-10 and freshman coach in 2012-13 before taking the helm this year.

Hall teaches eighth-grade technology at Piper Middle School.

He was one of three coaches to submit resignations for Monday’s Tonganoxie USD 464 School Board meeting.

Doug Sandburg resigned as THS assistant boys basketball coach, while Rachelle Pauly resigned as THS assistant volleyball coach. David Hillmon stepped down as eighth-grade head basketball coach.

Hillmon resigned his position to replace Sandburg on the high school basketball staff.