Iowa basketball coach Mike Hilmer named one of 24 high school coaches by the National Federation of High Schools. Photo credit: Mike Hilmer
I always enjoy highlighting an exceptional coach who has earned accolades for his work with young athletes. Today I shine the spotlight on Mike Hilmer, an outstanding coach from Iowa. He has been named one of 24 high school coaches from around the country who have been honored as a 2023-2024 National Coach of the Year by the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools).
Mike was raised in Forest City, Iowa. After his high school graduation, he attended Cornell College, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1991. Later he earned his administrative degree online through Grand Canyon University.
Mike inaugurated his career as a physical education teacher and boys basketball coach at Iowa’s Lincoln Central High School. He then completed stints at Estherville-Lincoln Central High School as a geography teacher and boys basketball coach.
In 1999, Mike accepted a position as a teacher of US History at North Linn High School in Troy Mills, Iowa. Additionally, he served as the Activities Director there since 2006. During his tenure at North Linn, Mike coached boys and girls golf, softball, and boys basketball. In the 16 years that Mike worked at North Linn, his teams have won 234 games and lost only nine. Since 2018, North Linn has reached the Iowa State Championship every year—an amazing seven consecutive seasons—winning a state title three times, including the year 2024.
Mike;’s prowess as an exceptional coach has not escaped attention. In the 33-year span of his coaching career career, Mike had been named State Coach of the Year six times. The is in addition to his recognition as a 2023-2024 National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High Schools.
This year, Mike left North Linn to become the Superintendent of Bellevue Schools in Bellevue, Iowa. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association for ten years, and the IHSAA Boys Basketball Advisory Committee for six years.
Congratulations, Mike Hilmer: A true Chalkboard Champion!
