Haugens steps down as Hampshire coach

After three seasons at Hampshire and 10 in District 300, girls basketball coach Ed Haugens has called it quits.

Haugens told his Hampshire players after Wednesday’s regional semifinal loss to Burlington Central, and the school district announced it officially Friday afternoon.

“The No. 1 reason is family,” Haugens said, pointing out that heading up a program takes him away from home.

“It has nothing to do with wins and losses at all.”

Haugens has a 205-100 career record. Hampshire finished 11-17 this season after going 17-15 in 2011-12.

Haugens took over after highly successful coach Sue Ellett stepped down, and he was named Courier-News Coach of the Year as Hampshire went 27-3 in 2010-11 to win the Big Northern East crown.

After that season, Hampshire switched from the Big Northern to facing larger schools in the Fox Valley Fox. Haugens, who had been 150-65 at Jacobs in seven seasons, said none of that had an impact on his decision.

“My priority needs to be my own kid,” he said.

“That’s the way I truly feel. Nobody else is pressuring me, telling me we (shouldn’t have) had the season we did.

“It was just a decision based on I felt I’m not home enough and I don’t want to miss this.”

His own daughter, Mia, is 2 years old.

“Family is huge to me,” he said.

“When I go home at night sometimes my daughter turns to me and she’s only 2, and she says, ‘Daddy, no more bass-etball.’ I get home and I feel I’m missing things.”

Some coaches might find it easier to balance time at home and with the team, but Haugens said he never viewed it as if he was coaching only the girls varsity team.

“I think I’m different than most coaches because I’ve always coached my fifth- through eighth-grade feeder programs,” he said. “I’ve always felt as a coach that’s something I needed to do.

“I can’t hand it off to other people. I’m too much hands-on.”

The position will be posted by the school in March with hopes of having a new head coach in place for summer camps and summer league.

Haugens’ Whip-Purs won regional titles his first two seasons, but had only three players with varsity experience this year and lost their first nine games before going 11-8 to finish the year.

“Just to show the growth and maturity, that’s what I’m proud of at the end of the season, and knowing we got better,” he said. “And that’s what you want as a coach.”

Haugens will continue as a math teacher at the school.