By Cort Reynolds
Ada High School head varsity boys basketball coach Vince Halliday was relieved of his duties Wednesday after three seasons at the helm of the Bulldog boys program.
The Bulldogs finished 5-18 this past season and went 0-8 in the Northwest Conference. Ada played a lineup comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores this past season.
“It was a tough year, which we all knew (it probably would be),” said Halliday. “I just didn’t know I wasn’t going to get the opportunity to continue on.
“The best is yet to come for the program, I really believe that,” Halliday noted of the young team’s potential.
Halliday reported that he was notified of the decision in a Wednesday meeting with Ada athletic director Ken Jochims and principal Dan Lee.
“Wednesday afternoon I heard the dreaded ‘gonna make a change’ or ‘going in another direction’, not sure which phrase was used, but one thing is certain. I will not be back as the boys basketball coach at Ada High School,” Halliday posted on Facebook Thursday morning.
Jochims reported that the head coaching job will be posted internally and externally by the school Friday.
The Bulldogs fashioned a 10-14 overall record with a senior-laden lineup in 2022-23, but finished 0-8 in the NWC with several close losses. In Halliday’s first season of 2021-22, Ada was 4-19 and 0-8 in the NWC.
In his three seasons, the rebuilding Bulldogs were 19-51 overall.
“I think they want someone in the building (Ada teacher) and someone who has more of a K-12 approach for the game,” Halliday explained of the decision to make a change. “That person isn’t me.
“While clearly disappointed, I was looking forward to seeing what that group could do the next few years. But I can do nothing about it,” he added.
One of the highlights of his three-season tenure came during the season opener his first year when Ada upset Ridgemont on a Spencer Wall bank shot at the buzzer.
Halliday said he expected the entire basketball staff to be replaced. Head assistant Josh Lehsten, a former Bulldog player, is an Ohio Northern University counselor.
A long-time former girls varsity coach at Lima Senior, the amiable Halliday said he suspects his head coaching days may be over.
“As for my coaching future, we shall see,” he added in his Thursday Facebook statement. “I enjoyed my time as coach, and know that nothing but better days are ahead for the program.
“But one thing is certain, I am not sad about the free time I now have.”
Halliday said he is looking forward to his new-found extra time to pursue other endeavors.
“I am looking forward to a June without hoops,” he admitted. “We will see what kind of golf game I can have.”
