Hixson steps down as BHS head coach

Longtime Blytheville head basketball coach David Hixson is stepping down from his coaching duties after more than two decades. Hixson will remain as athletic director and possibly continue teaching as well.

"We tried to work this out last year," said Hixson. "I'm one of those people who tries to do things the right way. It's been hard to do everything the way you would like to do it when your just chasing your tail, so to speak. That's kind of what I've been doing for a couple of years with the teaching and the A.D. job and the coaching."

Hixson took over the athletic director role in 2010 after former head football coach and athletic director Doug Quinn resigned and left for Bauxite.

Hixson, who has also coached baseball, football and golf, took over the head coaching duties of the basketball team in 1990.

He has been a part of three state championship teams in basketball and a state championship in boys golf.

The 2006 Arkansas Coach of the Year compiled a record of 382-187 in over 21 seasons.

Hixson stepped down before the 2008-09 season for health issues and returned in 2009.

His teams went 43-34 in his final three seasons and went to the 5A quarterfinals in 2010 and won a 5A East conference title in 2011.

During a five-year run, Hixson's teams went 114-27, including capturing the 2006 state championship.

Hixson said that the school has posted the job opening and he hopes to have a replacement in time to have a strong summer program.

"It's going to be a process," he said. "Hopefully we can get someone in here in the next two or three weeks, ideally. I've been involved in hiring coaches before. We'd like to have someone come in and who is able to get a feel for our kids. You've got to play in the summer, now. If you don't, you're going to get left behind. Everybody's playing 50 or 60 games these days. This should give a person the chance to dedicate his time to this summer."

Hixson said that assistant coach Bill Tyer, will remain with the program.

"I told him (Tyer) that with me leaving that it wasn't going to be a 'package deal,'" said Hixson. "He's been such an asset to me and to this school. He's been very supportive of this decision."

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com