Huron promotes Bauer to head coach

HURON — Huron didn't have to look far down its bench to find its new varsity girls basketball coach. Matt Bauer, who has been the Tigers' junior varsity coach the past two seasons, was approved as head coach at Monday night's Huron school board meeting. "He's been in the Huron community for 13 years and is a fan favorite," Huron athletic director Matthew Ayers said. "He's well-equipped to be our varsity coach. He has the basketball knowledge and community charisma." Prior to coaching the Huron JV, Bauer led the 7th/8th girls program for two years and spent two years directing the biddy program. "I've seen it at every level and I think that will be a big help as we try to compete with all the other amazing sports at Huron right now," Bauer said. "They have so much success in so many different sports. It's getting them in the gym at those early elementary ages and making the biddy program exciting and fun, making it something they want to be a part of. "You see that with Huron volleyball. Not only do they start them at a younger age, but when they go to high school games they see exciting volleyball, winning volleyball and big crowds." Bauer accepted the job last Friday. His supplemental contract for the 2026-27 school year will pay $8,360. The job opened up after Matt Smith resigned after one season as head coach. Ayers said he received seven résumés for the job Five candidates were interviewed by Ayers, principal Tim Lamb and boys basketball coach Kyle Hammond. "He knows his hoops," said Ayers of Bauer. "He has so many plans and ideas to develop the program from the biddy level on up. It'll be a nice face to have leading the program." Bauer, who lives in the Huron school district with his wife Beth and their children, is the treasurer at North Point Educational Service Center. Bauer's son Grant recently graduated from Huron High School. His daughter Adele is a rising sophomore and plays basketball. The Huron community rallied around the Bauer family three years ago when their youngest child, Evelyn, died at age 6 from pediatric sepsis. Bauer is a 1999 Fremont Ross graduate. He earned a degree in teaching from Heidelberg College, where he played golf. Bauer views working with the girls basketball program on all levels as a strength. "I've been part of the program for the last six years; I've seen what it's about," Bauer said. "My family lives in the district, so there's a natural wanting to be part of the program. "I think I can help lead it into the future. There was a lot of success years ago and more recently with coach (Darius) Shaeffer and I think we have the potential to get right back there." Bauer wants his Tigers to play an up-tempo style of basketball. "I think the style of basketball I want to play will be exciting to watch," he said. "It'll take a little while to learn, but I think it'll be bring excitement and hopefully some fans into the gym and get back to those winning ways of Huron basketball past. "I have a laid-back personality; I'm not a yeller. (A fast style will) take some getting used to for everyone, but some mistakes will happen. I understand that comes with the territory if you play a little more up tempo." Bauer hopes to meet with his team soon and look ahead to next season. "I have a relationship with all of them after being around for the past number of years," he said. "I want to keep players involved in the program. "We're gonna have an extremely young team next year. We're gonna be heavily freshmen and sophomores with hopefully some juniors."