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| Photo by Larry Radloff, d3photography.com |
Beloit athletic director Tim Schmiechen announced the promotion of assistant coach Josh Hinz to head coach of the Buccaneer men's basketball program Tuesday. Hinz, a long-time assistant under former coach Brian Vraney, will assume his post Monday, May 6.
Vraney resigned earlier this month after posting a 94-185 record in 12 seasons. Beloit was 8-17 this past season.
"I am very excited and honored to be named the next men's basketball coach at Beloit College," said Hinz. "Beloit College has been an extremely important piece of my life for the past 17 years, dating back to my time as a student-athlete and the last 12 years as an assistant coach. I look forward to continuing the strong Beloit College tradition of recruiting and teaching high character student-athletes who look to excel both in the classroom and on the court. I've always viewed coaching as a means to teach not only the fundamentals of the game, but an opportunity to help our student-athletes gain experiences that will prepare them to overcome the many obstacles in life that occur well after their playing days have finished."
A prolific scorer and rebounder during his athletic career at Beloit, Hinz wrote his name into the program in numerous categories including points in a game, field goals in a game, field goals attempted in a game, rebounds in a game, free throws in a game, free throws attempted in a game, points, field goals, free throws and rebounds in a season, and career categories including points, field goals, free throws and rebounds. His name sits atop the Beloit College record book in field goals in a game (26), rebounds in a game (36), free throws attempted in a game (19), season scoring average (25.1), career points (1,915), career field goals (713), free throws made in a career (438) and career rebounds (834). Hinz still holds the Midwest Conference record for rebounds in a game (36) and holds top ten marks in career points and field goals and field goals made in a game.
Hinz, a three-time First Team All-MWC selection, was named the Ron Bontemps Most Valuable Player for Beloit three times and received the Johnny Orr Leadership award during his career on the hardwood. He was an All-Midwest Region pick twice and two-time Fourth Team D3hoops.com All-American. Hinz, who played professionally for a short period of time overseas, was inducted into the Beloit College Hall of Honor in 2016.
The all-time leading scorer in Beloit history, Hinz made his return to Buccaneer basketball shortly after receiving his degree in sociology, joining the men's basketball staff as an assistant prior to the 2007-08 season.
"We are extremely excited to have Coach Hinz lead our men's basketball program," said Schmiechen. "As our assistant coach, Coach Hinz has been very successful in recruiting outstanding student-athletes and has also been a great coach and mentor for our players. Being a graduate of Beloit and one of our most accomplished men's basketball players, Josh clearly understands our strong basketball tradition and is the perfect person to lead our program into the future."
"I would like to thank President Scott Bierman, Director of Athletics and Recreation Tim Schmiechen, and Dean of Students Cecil Youngblood for putting their faith in me to lead this program going forward," added Hinz. Youngblood was Hinz's head coach, preceding Vraney, and compiled a 72-154 mark in 10 seasons at the helm.