Brent Kell is stepping away from the sidelines.
Kell, midway through his 30th year coaching the Houston High School girls’ basketball program, is retiring at the conclusion of the current season. His resignation was accepted Tuesday night by the school board.
Kell, 52, is also retiring as athletic director and physical education instructor at his alma mater.
“It’s the right time,” Kell said. “I’ve prayed about it and thought a lot about it. I feel comfortable with my decision.”
Kell, who graduated from HHS in 1981 and has spent 40 combined years at Houston as a student, teacher and coach, is easily the winningest coach of any program. He earned his 400th career victory in January 2015 and has 417 wins going into Thursday’s home game against Willow Springs.
Although he still loves the game, Kell said the grind of the time commitment has taken its toll. He said he began leaning toward retirement late last summer.
“When it was time to go to Branson for our team camp, I knew something wasn’t right,” he said. “I wasn’t fired up to go.”
Kell shared his decision with his team after Tuesday’s practice. He said his players have been asking him about his future throughout the season and were not surprised with the news.
“I was a little emotional,” he said. “I didn’t let it show outwardly, but inside I was churning.”
Kell said he plans to stay connected to sports. He and assistant coach John Jordan, who is also leaving coaching, have discussed hosting basketball clinics in the future. Kell and retiring HHS principal Charlie Malam – a longtime friend – are entertaining the idea of refereeing middle school and lower grade levels together.
Kell said he is humbled by players and parents who have asked him to continue coaching. But he has a future focused on his family in mind. His wife, Audrey, is eligible to retire from her position as curriculum director at Houston Schools in three years. His oldest daughter, Megan, has been married two years and his youngest daughter, Haylee, is getting married this summer.
“Those girls will start families soon, and I want to be part of that,” Kell said. “If they move close to each other, which they are talking about doing, that’s probably where we will end up as well. I’m excited about that, having grandkids and seeing where the next chapter leads.”