JEROMESVILLE — The winningest football coach in Hillsdale history is stepping aside, but Tom Williams doesn’t plan to stray too far from the program he’s spent the past 15 years building to prominence.
Williams resigned Wednesday to spend more time with family.
“For me, it’s a little bittersweet,” said Williams, who will continue as the Hillsdale Elementary School principal. “I can’t stress enough how much I appreciate all the support we’ve received from the school and the community over the years and how much all the assistant coaches and players, past and present, mean to me.
“But one thing I’ve learned is that being a football coach is not something you can do part-time. Right now I’m needed at home.”
A former assistant at Madison and Clear Fork, Williams took over at Hillsdale in 2003. He inherited a program that had just five winning seasons in its history and was coming off back-to-back 1-9 campaigns.
Hillsdale was 2-8 in his first year and 4-6 from 2004 to 2006 before setting a school record with eight wins in 2007. The Falcons advanced to the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2009 and reached the regional championship game in 2010.
“Coach Williams and the staff he has put in place have done great job of building the Hillsdale football program,” Hillsdale athletic director Jodi Long said Wednesday. “He has put a tremendous amount of time and effort into the program.”
The turning point, Williams said, came in Week 9 of the 2005 season. Hillsdale stunned state-ranked Smithville 19-18 at Hillsdale.
“Smithville was undefeated and ranked second in the state,” Williams said. “That win changed the way our kids and our community viewed themselves. From that point on we felt like we could win every game.”
Hillsdale won its first ever Wayne County Athletic League championship in 2010 and defended the title in 2011. The Falcons added a third WCAL crown in 2014.
Hillsdale made six playoff appearances under Williams. The Falcons reached the Division VI, Region 22 championship game last fall before falling to Findlay Liberty-Benton.
“Coach Williams has instilled values that go beyond football,” said rising senior Alex Becker, an All-Ohio third team pick last year. “He has always encouraged us to do our best and give our all when it comes to football.
“But when it comes down to it, football is just a sport. Family should always comes first.”
With the season fast approaching, Long would like to have Williams’ successor in place as soon as possible. Practice begins July 30 and the Falcons open the season at Mapleton on Aug. 24.
“We hope to have the position filled as soon as we can to move forward for next season,” Long said. “Tom has been great to work with as both a mentor and a head coach. He truly is passionate about the sport and the athletes he has coached.”
Williams plans to remain involved in the program in some capacity. His younger son, Ty, was a starting linebacker as a freshman last fall.
“The kids and the staff are preparing for a season,” Williams said. “I love working with the kids and I told them it will work out so let’s get ready and we’ll go from there.”
