WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

 Coach Hires wasn’t just a successful coach — he was a force who shaped us as basketball players and as young men. A true legend, his philosophy became the blueprint for everything we did. He had a gift for preparing us mentally and physically for every opponent, and because of that, we never walked into a game unready. 

As kids, we packed the gym on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights just to watch the Wildcats, hoping that one day we’d have the honor of playing for him. He taught us that nothing in life is given and everything is earned. His ability to fire us up before a game was unmatched. He demanded hard work, pushed us past limits we didn’t even know existed, and never let us feel sorry for ourselves. 

If we had a tough night or our confidence dipped, he would call us into his office — not to criticize, but to build us back up. He reminded us of our potential and made each of us believe in ourselves. Coach understood how to reach every player in a different way, and because of that, he brought out the absolute best in us.

We loved the game of basketball, but more than anything, we loved playing for him — every possession, every quarter, every practice. He made us better players, but more importantly, better men. 

 Coach Hires is a pillar of the community. I was a cheerleader under Millie Morris in 87, 88, and 89.  Those years were unforgettable, and when the whole town shut down and followed Coach Hires and the players, cheerleaders, and staff to Macon for the weekend of the Championship playoffs, our town couldn’t have been more proud of our coach and his leadership of our beloved Wildcats!!   

You Can’t Beat the Hill! was our mantra, and we lived, ate, slept, and breathed it.  We believed in ourselves, our team, and our coach!!  He pushed those boys to squeeze every ounce of effort they had in them (and then some) and taught them to play as a team, with heart, and passion and love for the game and each other.

It was truly an amazing time in our lives that the high schoolers shared with the adults, faculty, staff, parents, civic leaders, officers, officials, and the community at-large. Coach Hires used his keen instincts on the court to inspire this community to aim big, work hard, support each other and achieve success together, both on and off the court!!!

Thank you, Coach Hires!  RH loves and respects you immensely!