![Ohio County Eagle head coach Paul Decker watches his team during the first half of OC's loss to Owensboro in the semifinal round of the Third Region tournament Monday night.]()
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![Eagle head coach Paul Decker celebrates as the Ohio County win as they defeated Owensboro in the Third Region semifinals Friday night.]()
Eagle head coach Paul Decker stepped down from his position this week and is taking a position as an assistant principal at Beaver Dam Elementary.[/caption]
Paul Decker has resigned as boys’ head basketball coach at Ohio County High to become assistant principal at Beaver Dam Elementary School. Decker, a former Eagle standout himself and Third Region Player of the Year in 1993, was Eagle head coach for nine seasons, compiling an overall 158-105 won-loss record.
His teams’ best records came in 2012 (29-3) and 2013 (25-8), winning 10th District titles both years as well as taking the 2013 Third Region championship.
In confirming his resignation and taking the administrative position, Decker said, “It is a great opportunity for me and one that I had to pursue. I would like to thank the administration at Ohio County High School for their support over the years. I have been blessed to work with so many great kids and loyal assistant coaches.
"I thank God for letting me coach the game I love, especially at a school that I love, for so many years. Being around the game has allowed me to forge so many friendships along the way and I am so thankful for the opportunity.”
OCHS athletic director Charles Patton said the school intends to move quickly to replace Decker, who also was a Special Education teacher at the high school.
Unofficially, Decker is the winningest coach in OCHS boys' basketball history with his 158 wins, Brad Stanley is second with a 152-83 record from 1988-1995 with the late Ralph Underhill compiling an outstanding 126-30 record from 1966-1970 including the Eagles' run to the Sweet 16 finals in 1969 finishing as the runner-up to Central High School.
Underhill, who passed away in 2011, went on to become the winningest coach at Wright State University racking up 356 wins from 1978-1995.
Eagle head coach Paul Decker stepped down from his position this week and is taking a position as an assistant principal at Beaver Dam Elementary.[/caption]
Paul Decker has resigned as boys’ head basketball coach at Ohio County High to become assistant principal at Beaver Dam Elementary School. Decker, a former Eagle standout himself and Third Region Player of the Year in 1993, was Eagle head coach for nine seasons, compiling an overall 158-105 won-loss record.
His teams’ best records came in 2012 (29-3) and 2013 (25-8), winning 10th District titles both years as well as taking the 2013 Third Region championship.
In confirming his resignation and taking the administrative position, Decker said, “It is a great opportunity for me and one that I had to pursue. I would like to thank the administration at Ohio County High School for their support over the years. I have been blessed to work with so many great kids and loyal assistant coaches.
"I thank God for letting me coach the game I love, especially at a school that I love, for so many years. Being around the game has allowed me to forge so many friendships along the way and I am so thankful for the opportunity.”
OCHS athletic director Charles Patton said the school intends to move quickly to replace Decker, who also was a Special Education teacher at the high school.
Unofficially, Decker is the winningest coach in OCHS boys' basketball history with his 158 wins, Brad Stanley is second with a 152-83 record from 1988-1995 with the late Ralph Underhill compiling an outstanding 126-30 record from 1966-1970 including the Eagles' run to the Sweet 16 finals in 1969 finishing as the runner-up to Central High School.
Underhill, who passed away in 2011, went on to become the winningest coach at Wright State University racking up 356 wins from 1978-1995.