060209: "Hibbs tapped to lead Bearcats"
"Biglerville coach Tim Hibbs was the unanimous choice to replace Matt Ortega."
BY FRANK BODANI - Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 06/01/2009 11:57:38 PM EDT
The new William Penn football coach comes with much more on his resume than success on the field.
Though, certainly, that helps.
Tim Hibbs, 38, not only drove Biglerville to its first division title of any kind in 37 years last fall, but he also made his mark elsewhere.
He created a program for at-risk students, working with the off-field issues that his school's junior high kids were facing. He also has experience in alternative education programs.
He even is a certified strength and conditioning coach -- which is a need he also will fill at William Penn.
The coaching appointment became official on Monday night with a unanimous vote by the York City School Board, which announced its decision after a short private executive session.
Hibbs replaces the highly-successful Matt Ortega, who resigned from the position in April to accept the head coaching job at Coatesville. Ortega's teams qualified for three-straight district playoffs, earned the school's first YAIAA Division I title in more than a decade and compiled a 37-18 record in five seasons.
"The man has big shoes to fill," said Jeanette Torres, school board president. "We're looking for a model. We're looking for someone to mentor our kids and never give up on them."
Hibbs took over the Biglerville program in 2004. He led the struggling Canners to a winning season in 2007 and a share of the YAIAA Division III title last year. He came to Biglerville after working as an assistant at Gettysburg College, among his coaching stops.
"He's worked with inner-city. He's taught on the alternative level. He's fully capable of relating to our kids," said Chaz Green, William Penn's athletic director.
"It's his passion. Just wanting to get here and help the kids in our district. You could see him getting chills down his spine talking about the kids.
"You can see the love and passion that he has."
Hibbs did not attend the school board meeting and could not be reached last night for comment.
He teaches social studies at Biglerville, though Torres was unsure whether he would seek a teaching job in the York City district.
Hibbs was one of "nine or 10" candidates who applied for the Bearcats' head job -- though none were internal -- and school board officials said they interviewed six. Officials did not name the others who were interviewed.
Though, certainly, that helps.
Tim Hibbs, 38, not only drove Biglerville to its first division title of any kind in 37 years last fall, but he also made his mark elsewhere.
He created a program for at-risk students, working with the off-field issues that his school's junior high kids were facing. He also has experience in alternative education programs.
He even is a certified strength and conditioning coach -- which is a need he also will fill at William Penn.
The coaching appointment became official on Monday night with a unanimous vote by the York City School Board, which announced its decision after a short private executive session.
Hibbs replaces the highly-successful Matt Ortega, who resigned from the position in April to accept the head coaching job at Coatesville. Ortega's teams qualified for three-straight district playoffs, earned the school's first YAIAA Division I title in more than a decade and compiled a 37-18 record in five seasons.
"The man has big shoes to fill," said Jeanette Torres, school board president. "We're looking for a model. We're looking for someone to mentor our kids and never give up on them."
Hibbs took over the Biglerville program in 2004. He led the struggling Canners to a winning season in 2007 and a share of the YAIAA Division III title last year. He came to Biglerville after working as an assistant at Gettysburg College, among his coaching stops.
"He's worked with inner-city. He's taught on the alternative level. He's fully capable of relating to our kids," said Chaz Green, William Penn's athletic director.
"It's his passion. Just wanting to get here and help the kids in our district. You could see him getting chills down his spine talking about the kids.
"You can see the love and passion that he has."
Hibbs did not attend the school board meeting and could not be reached last night for comment.
He teaches social studies at Biglerville, though Torres was unsure whether he would seek a teaching job in the York City district.
Hibbs was one of "nine or 10" candidates who applied for the Bearcats' head job -- though none were internal -- and school board officials said they interviewed six. Officials did not name the others who were interviewed.
This is a shame. Hibbs is a good football coach and he will be missed.
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