Steve Henry has spent the past 16 soccer seasons leading the Bellefontaine boys program. He will not return for a 17th.
It was announced at Monday’s board of education meeting that Henry has resigned, with the job being filled by former assistant coach Jeff Turner.
“The main thing it came down to was my daughter is on the girls soccer team and I want to be able to see her play,” said Henry. “With this being my son’s last year, it was good timing to step away. Energy wise, I also felt it was time for someone else to lead the program.”
Turner has served as an assistant to Henry for the past five seasons.
“Both Steve and I had the feeling for a while that this would be his last season,” said Turner, a 1995 BHS graduate. “Being a head coach is something I have wanted to do for a long time. When this opportunity came available, it was an easy decision for me.”
Henry believes the program will be in good hands under Turner.
“The toughest thing for me was who would be handed the keys,” said Henry. “I wasn’t sure if Jeff was interested at first, but I am glad he wants to take over. I know he will put in the same kind of energy into the program. He is excited to work with the guys and he has some good ideas.”
Henry instilled a steady level of success at Bellefontaine. His teams always seemed to play their best at the end of the season. The Chiefs advanced to the district final six times during his watch and won one district championship.
Bellefontaine won its second consecutive Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail division title this fall.
“Steve did a great job and I don’t need to change anything,” said Henry. “The program is in fantastic shape. I don’t plan to make any changes. There are some things I would like to add, most importantly to me is I want to get the youth more involved. I really want the youth soccer players in Bellefontaine to be excited about our program.”
While Henry won a lot of games during his time guiding the Chiefs, he said his greatest memories will be the relationships he developed with his players.
“I am going to miss the people I worked with,” said Henry. “It has always been fun to run into the guys after they graduated and reminisce with them. That is the part I am really going to miss.”