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Mike Show, the longest-tenured head coach in Baptist Bible's history, will step down at the end of the season. Show, a 1992 BBC graduate, will remain athletic director and will be succeeded as head coach by current assistant Joel Nietz. Show has been head coach since 1994.
The announcement comes on the heels of what could reasonably be termed as the biggest win in program history: an upset of No. 2-ranked Cabrini on Saturday, Feb. 15.
"I have enjoyed coaching, but at this point in my life it's time to step down," said Show, who noted his desire to spend more time with his wife and six children. Show's son, J.C., will be a freshman at Bucknell in the fall.
"I sat down and looked at (Bucknell's) schedule and all their conference games are on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which is on the same day as BBC's conference games," he said.
Show will be honored on Wednesday, Feb. 19 in the Phelps Student Center immediately following the women's home game against Neumann.
Immediately, Show's impact was felt as his team made a name for themselves with their hard-nosed defense, attention to the little details of the game, and their grittiness. In that first year, the team went 22-10 and went to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Tournament.
Going into the final game, Show has a record of 272-287 (.487). His teams have won 10 NCCAA East Regional championships and one NEAC championship. In 2005-06, the NCCAA recognized Show as the Division II coach of the year. He has also coached nine NCCAA All-Americans.
As BBC's athletics programs began to expand, the college transitioned into NCAA Division III and joined the North Eastern Athletic Conference. Show had the most success during that era. From 2004-08, his teams went 81-31 (.723), including two 20-plus win seasons.
While his on-court accomplishments are impressive, Show's standard of success reaches to the number of players he has helped become true men of character. He regularly challenges his players personally and invests deeply in each player's life. He regularly blocks off time to meet with each player and talk about basketball and, more importantly, what is going on in their lives.
"Coach Show's leadership of our men's basketball program has been outstanding in disciplining men for godly leadership," said BBC&S president Jim Jeffery. "He is greatly respected at BBC and by the other athletic directors of the CSAC conference."