Bill Eller has completed his mission of reviving the boys' basketball program at Soddy Daisy High School.
Eller announced Wednesday that he has stepped down as head coach of the Trojans after seven seasons. Over the past three years, they had the type of success that had been a long time coming for a program that went 2-24 the season before he was hired.
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Soddy Daisy went 54-32 in his final three years, which included the program's first winning season in 14 years, first winning record in district play in 19 years and first region tournament appearance in nine years. The Trojans also won three titles at holiday tournaments during that time.
In addition, all of Eller's players over the past seven seasons graduated on time with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. They did this all while being active in community service as the Trojans volunteered at local elementary schools, led cancer awareness fundraisers and took part in food drives to help families in need.
The next coach should benefit from the solid foundation Eller leaves behind.
"During Coach Eller's tenure, our basketball program has not only improved tremendously on the court, but our entire program is better because of his influence," Soddy Daisy athletic director Jared Hensley said in a school release. "The discipline and style of basketball Coach Eller instilled in every player is something that each young man can take with them and apply to their everyday lives."
Eller began coaching high school sports in 1988 at Lookout Valley, his alma mater. In the 30-plus years since, he has won more than 425 games as a boys' coach.
He spent 14 years leading the Hixson Wildcats, who had 20 or more victories in nearly half of those seasons and set the program's single-season record for wins. He also coached Hamilton Heights Christian Academy for three seasons, with his oldest son, Ross, part of the team that won a National Association of Christian Athletes championship in 2012. It was the first national title for Hamilton Heights, which has gone on to produce several NBA players.
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Eller posted his 400th career win during a home game on Dec. 15, 2022, when Soddy Daisy beat Silverdale Baptist Academy 54-49. His youngest son, Chad, was a part of that game and a key playmaker for the Trojans.
Soddy Daisy had a winning district record this past season, when the Trojans beat Central in the postseason to reach the region tournament. Outside of league play, their notable games included a pair of close losses to area teams that reached the state tournament, with the Trojans falling by four points to Red Bank and by five to Silverdale.
"When I was hired seven years ago, the principal at the time, Steve Henry, requested two things from me: to build a strong and competitive program with order and strong foundations, and to instill discipline in the program," Eller said in the release. "I feel I have done what I was hired to do. The program is strong and in good standing. It is time for someone to continue the success we've had, build upon it and take it to the next level."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.