Coach Bruce Tjosvold announces his resignation

After 15 years of coaching boys’ basketball at the Kimball High School, Bruce Tjosvold announced his resignation this past week. Tjosvold said it was mostly in part because of his full time, day job requirements with the Frito Lay Company that he made the decision that now was the time.

Tjosvold started out as the boys’ freshman coach and served in that capacity for 6 years, then coached the junior varsity for 1 year, before taking over the varsity coaching position where he has served the past 8 years compiling the envious win-loss record of 152-39. During this time, his teams won all 8 Western Trails Conference Tournament championships, won the WTC regular season title 6 years, tied 1 year, and this past year had to settle for 2nd despite having the same record as the regular season champs, but was decided on a tie breaker system. During the past 4 years he has directed his teams to the state tournament three times.

Like all the good ones do, Tjosvold credits his success to having some outstanding players and some outstanding assistant coaches. “I have to give credit to having some very good players and some very good assistant coaches. I am really going to miss my association with my assistants, the kids, the opposing coaches, and of course all of the fans and friends I have acquired along the way. Because of some new regulations from my job with Frito Lay, now is the right time to step aside. I am sure a lot of people don’t realize how many hours it takes coaching. The nights, the open gyms, and camps during the off season, it all adds up. I always took my vacation time during the district and state tournament times. Now I can spend a bit more time with my wife and family,” he said.

Kimball Activities Director, Ken Smith, said they will offer the position in-house first and then possibly go outside in their search for a replacement for Tjosvold. Earlier, assistant Gene Mohr had announced his resignation so he could spend more time watching his own two sones compete for the Kimball High Wrestling program. Tjosvold had high praise for assistant Luke Dea as a possible candidate to take over the position and this is a very possible solution.

In the meantime, all of Kimball and the surrounding communities owe thanks to coach Tjosvold for the winning style of basketball he brought to Kimball High. His record speaks for itself and it has been a good run, to say the least. Thank you, and enjoy your retirement. We look forward to seeing you in the stands.