Brian Heck named girls basketball coach at Clyde

Brian Heck was trying to find any way to say no. When Blayze Behney stepped down as head girls basketball coach at Clyde in late June, Heck said about two percent of him thought it would really be exciting to take over for the Fliers. Monday, that excitement was made reality when Heck was approved as the new head coach at the board of education meeting. "I got a couple phone calls from people in the community and a couple phone calls from people I know asking me about it," Heck said. "That sparked my interest even more. I started doing my homework and looking into some things. Things happen for a reason. It's not a coincidence this happened." For the last three seasons, Heck was an assistant coach at Margaretta under his father-in-law, Ray Neill. The Polar Bears won three league titles, three district championships and a regional title in that span. Margaretta was 67-16 over the last three seasons. "It's going to be a challenge," Heck said. "I'm not going to lie; it's going to be a big challenge. I have to get to know these girls. That's first and foremost. We have to get on the same page. I have to get a relationship with them. They have to understand me. I have to understand them, which I don't think is going to be hard. "Once that happens, the basketball stuff will all fall into place." Clyde athletic director Ryan Greenslade said the Fliers were thrilled to get an established coach who isn't entering their first coaching job when Heck applied. "Trying to find a new head coach in late June or early July is never easy, especially when you've just gone your entire summer with basketball," Greenslade said. "For us, having to go through this, we tried to put a positive spin on it. You never know when it's this late the caliber of applicants you're going to get or the quality." Greenslade said there were nine applications and about half were interviewed. "Coach Heck was by far head and shoulders above everyone else," he said. "He's got a long history of success. He's respected in the area amongst other coaches. He's respected in the area with other players. My niece remembers playing him and brought him up as one of the few coaches that have ever talked to her after a game. "She made a comment that it is a great hire for us and would've loved to have played for someone like him." Before his three seasons at Margaretta, Heck was the head coach at Perkins for five years. The Pirates went 81-44, reaching two district finals. His contract was non-renewed after the 2021-22 season, citing a hazing incident during the season. Heck said there was a lot of doubt he'd ever be a head coach again. "You never know, especially with the situation that happened, if you want to call it a situation," Heck said. "For how that school labeled what happened, I said three years ago, how do other schools and administrations perceive me when I know it was complete ridiculousness? To have somebody have faith in me and realize I am who I am? That's who they want. It's so refreshing. "I'm excited because it's three years of pent up 'let's get stuff done.'" Heck, 45, is a 1998 graduate of Huron High School. He had to give thanks and appreciation to his wife, Krista. Being a head coach can be tough on a home. "You want someone that is going to pour their heart and soul into the program and do what's right," Greenslade said. "We feel like we made this kind of choice. We got the candidate that suits our program and suits what we're looking for. We're excited to move forward." Heck takes over a team that went 1-9 in each of the last two seasons in the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division. Clyde hasn't had a winning season since winning 21 games in the 2016-17 season. The Fliers will face Margaretta when Clyde hosts the Polar Bears on Dec. 2. "It'll be different. I love them," Heck said. "They're great. I know they want to kick my butt just as much as I want to kick theirs. At the end of the day, there's going to be some hugs and maybe some tears. That staff has been great and (Margaretta athletic director) Drew Grahl has been phenomenal. "It was time for me to get back on my own horse and do what I'm supposed to do."