Hollander steps down at St. Charles West
Ryan Prewitt/Suburban Journals | Terry Hollander was the head coach of the St. Charles West boys basketball team for 30 years. Hollander stepped down on Monday.
Longtime St. Charles West boys basketball coach Terry Hollander is calling it a career, at least at the high school level.
Hollander, 57, resigned Monday and will accept an assistant coaching position at Lindenwood University under Lions men’s coach Brad Soderberg.
In his 30 seasons as West head coach, Hollander compiled a record of 549-279. He led the Warriors to their only state championship in 1995, something he called a “career-altering event.” Under Hollander the Warriors finished second in 2008, third in 1994 and 2003 and won 12 district championships.
“It’s hard in some respects because in essence I’ve hardly known anything else,” Hollander said. “For 30 years, St. Charles West Warrior basketball has pretty much occupied almost every waking minute of my thoughts.”
Hollander graduated from Duchesne High School in 1970 and from Truman State University in 1973. He spent 34 years teaching American History but retired from teaching three years ago. He said that at Lindenwood he will also serve in the education department as a student teacher and supervisor.
“I’m excited simply because it’s a chance for me to maybe give back a little,” Hollander said.
Soderberg is in his first year as head coach at Lindenwood, whose Board of Directors recently approved a proposed submission by the school to join the NCAA this summer and compete in Division II athletics.
“Obviously it’s a place that’s on the rise and the basketball program will really be on the rise here in the next couple years,” Hollander said.
Hollander, who was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008 and is a member of the St. Charles County Council, coached his last high school game Feb. 24 in a 63-61 district semifinal loss to his alma mater. He said that while he knew it was his final game he was more sad for his players and their season-ending loss.
“The biggest thing is I just feel very fortunate and thankful for all the players I’ve had,” Hollander said. “One of these days, when it’s all said and done, the number of wins and championships fade fairly quickly. But the relationships you build with your players never go away and that’s what I’m most proud of.
“I truly believe I’ve had the best high school basketball job in the entire state for a long time now. Stepping away here isn’t easy, but that’s the next step.”
West athletic director Terry Oetting said a search would begin immediately for Hollander’s replacement. Oetting said West would hire a new boys basketball coach by the end of the school year.
“We’re going to miss him at St. Charles West with all that time and effort he’s put into the basketball programs,” Oetting said. “In my seven years, it’s been a pleasure to work with him. I know that doesn’t even cover a third of his career at West. He has a passion for the game that will be hard to replace but I’m confident we’ll be able to step up and fill those shoes.”
Russell Korando contributed information for this story.
