Chad Hibdon, the fifth women’s basketball head coach in the history of the Trevecca Nazarene University program, announced his resignation effective today. Hibdon, who took the program’s reins ahead of the 2016-17 season, finished with an overall record of 49-99 and a 39-70 record in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play.
“After a lot of reflection, prayer, and with other opportunities that have presented themselves the last few weeks, I have decided to resign as head coach at Trevecca,” Hibdon said. “I am pleased with the progress we made in my tenure at TNU and the perseverance through the numerous injuries that slowed down the process of elevating us to a championship contender in the Great Midwest. I do believe the program is headed in the right direction, and the talent that remains on the roster is set up for success. I am thankful for my time here at TNU but am overly excited for God’s next journey for me, my wife and kids.”
Trevecca Athletic Director Mark Elliott added, “Chad has worked hard to rebuild our historically strong women’s basketball program during a period that’s encompassed some of the most trying circumstances in the history of athletics. We are very thankful for all the time and effort that he devoted to Trevecca, and we wish Chad and his family nothing but the best as they move forward.
“Trevecca’s investment in women’s basketball, along with the storied tradition of our program, gives me excitement and optimism about the future,” he added. “Looking forward, there is tremendous opportunity as we begin a new era with a solid foundation. More than ever, we’re committed to helping our current and future players find success as Christians, scholars and athletes.”
HIBDON ERA | YEAR-BY-YEAR (history)
In his first season, 2016-17, Hibdon led the Trojans to a 7-18 overall record, and the team went 3-11 in Great Midwest play. Two freshmen, Kiersten Hunter and McKenzie Kilburn, were recognized by the league on the All-Freshmen team.
The 2017-2018 edition went 10-18 overall, and 8-14 conference records reflected improvement. In addition, newcomer Callie Hackett earned Great Midwest honorable mention honors after setting the NCAA era single-game record for points in a game, 33 versus Walsh.
The 2018-19 season brought another improvement for the Hibdon era Trojans. The team went 12-17 overall and made the G-MAC tournament, going 11-11 in league play. Brittin Boyer made the G-MAC second team.
Injuries and COVID-19 dampened the program progress the next three seasons, beginning with the 2019-20 (9-18 overall) season. That team went 6-12 in league play. The season highlights included a trip to play at UConn and a four-game winning streak in January. Olivia Pepperman received second-team All-conference honors.
COVID-19 impacted the 2020-21 season as well. The start of the season was delayed by nearly a month and limited to just 12 games (6-6 overall). The Trojans finished sixth in the league with a 6-5 conference mark despite being picked tenth in the preseason. The Trojans made the Great Midwest tournament for the second time three seasons.
The COVID-19 and injury bug hit again in 2021-2022. The team suffered multiple injuries and fluctuating practice and game cancellations and postponements. The result is a 5-22 overall record and 4-17 league mark.
HIBDON FILE (history)
First Season | 2016-2017
49-99 Overall
39-70 Conference
HIBDON ERA AWARDS | NCAA D2/GREAT MIDWEST (awards)
Three players have made all-conference during Hibdon’s tenure.
HIBDON BEFORE TREVECCA
Hibdon brought a championship history with him to the Trojan Fieldhouse. Before joining the Trojans, Hibdon built Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Blackman High School into a girl’s basketball state and national powerhouse. Hibdon guided the Blaze to consecutive TSSAA Class AAA state championships in his final two seasons at the Rutherford County school.
In his 10 seasons at Blackman, he produced a 199-98 overall record. His final two teams were 66-3. His teams accumulated 20 wins in six consecutive years. In that six-year run, Blackman was 159-29. His first two teams at Blackman produced just 10 wins combined.
Hibdon left the Blaze to take on the task of rebuilding Truett-McConnell College (TMC) into a competitive program and made tremendous strides in his only season with the NAIA program.
TMC is located in Cleveland, Ga., where the Bears went 6-22 the year before Hibdon arrived. The team turned in a 14-15 overall mark in his first season and a 7-13 record in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.
The 2015-16 Bears set the TMC season record for overall wins, consecutive wins, conference wins, home wins, consecutive road wins, and road wins. In addition, the Bears tied the record for most consecutive home wins. Individually his players set new records for scoring average, made three-pointers, and made free throws.
In his 10 years at Blackman, 15 of his players went on to play collegiately. His last Blackman team had four seniors, and they all signed to play at the NCAA Division 1 level. They are Angel Allen (Western Carolina), MeMe Jackson (Tennessee), Alex Johnson (MTSU), and KK Williams (Georgia State). This year, Blackman had two returning starters, Crystal Dangerfield (Connecticut/two-time Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year) and Jazz Bond (South Florida).
Hibdon, the Naismith All-USA national girls’ basketball coach of the year in 2014, led Blackman to the title of national champions by USA TODAY, MaxPreps, and ESPN.
He was a finalist for the Naismith award in his final season at Blackman. The National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) named him the 2015 Women’s Basketball National Coach of the Year. He was the first coach from Tennessee to be selected for the honor in its first 16 years. The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) named him the 2015 District 9 Coach of the Year. He was a finalist for the 2015 Pat Summitt Trophy, an honor the WBCA gives to the United States Marine Corps/WBCA High School National Coach of the Year. His coach of the year awards include being selected as the district coach of the year three times, the Basketball Coaches Association of Tennessee coach twice, and the A.F. Bridges TSSAA coach of the year.
Hibdon, a native of Lascassas, Tenn., graduated from Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro. He earned a Bachelor of Science in health and wellness from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Master of Education degree from Lipscomb University.
Hibdon and his wife Lea have a son, Eli, and a daughter, Lydia Grace.
https://www.tnutrojans.com/sports/wbkb/2021-22/releases/20220321qdyz3h
Tagged with: D2 Trevecca Nazarene
