Mike Hilmer leaving North Linn for superintendent’s job at Bellevue

CEDAR RAPIDS — Mike Hilmer opened the conversation.

“Surprised, huh?” he asked.

Surprised that he’s leaving a school he’s been at for a quarter century? Yeah.

Surprised that the most successful head boys’ basketball coach in the state at the smallest-school level is giving up coaching altogether? You betcha.

But in the big picture, it makes sense. Hilmer is leaving as North Linn’s boys’ basketball coach and activities director to become superintendent at Bellevue.

“We saw the job open at Bellevue and did a lot of research. Saw how good of a school it was, and saw how good of a match it was in what we believe in and what they believe in,” he said Monday night. “It was a really tough decision. We went into it, and I told them at the interview we’re not looking to leave North Linn. We really like North Linn, it’s a passion of ours, it’s been a passion of ours for 25 years.

“But we’re looking for a new challenge, and Bellevue seemed like a great fit.”

Hilmer has led North Linn to an unprecedented seven consecutive state championship games, winning three. The Lynx went 26-1 this past season to win the Class 1A title.

North Linn is 234-9 the past nine seasons. Especially considering it’s a small, rural public high school, the run is incredible.

“That’s one of the things I talked to the Bellevue people about,” he said. “What we built at North Linn wasn’t built by me, it was built by a lot of us. The parents, the kids, all the coaches and teachers all worked together and built some really great things in several of our activities and athletics programs.

“We’re really proud of that, and that’s one of the things I hope to take to the new district. Showing that working together and doing what’s right for kids can bring out the best of them.”

Hilmer is 525-289 in his 33-year coaching career, with stops at North Linn, Lincoln Central and Estherville-Lincoln Central. The Forest City native is the son of Bob Hilmer, the state’s all-time winningest boys’ basketball coach.

His wife, Jaci, is a guidance counselor at North Linn.

“We’re excited to see what the next challenge brings us,” he said. “We’ve met a lot of great people, we’re excited for it. It’s definitely sad to leave North Linn. Who knows? Sometimes you’ve got to do what’s best for your family, and that’s what we feel like we’re doing.

“Hopefully some day I’ll be able to coach again. I just kind of have a passion for being a leader in a different capacity right now and seeing how things go. I’m really going to miss the kids I’m coaching right now. It was hard to tell them today that I was going to be gone. Hopefully we’ll get somebody great to take over the program and keep it rolling. I’m going to be a Lynx fan for the rest of my life.”

Comments: jeff.johnson@thegazette.com