Sagester guided the Patriots for 13 seasons. The program evolved into a small-school power over the last five years, culminating with a Division IV boys state championship in 2015.
“For a long time I always said my family took a back seat; now it’s time for them to take a front seat,” he said.
That echoes a recurring sentiment among area football and basketball coaches who resign for similar reasons. The Sagesters have three pre-teen children who are all active in athletics. Sagester will remain as the Tri-Village Local Schools superintendent.
A Brookville graduate who also starred in basketball at Mercer (Ga.) University, Sagester compiled a 241-79 overall record and an astonishing 126-27 record in CCC games. His teams won five CCC championships, seven sectional titles, four of the last five district titles and advanced to the D-IV state final four in the 2013-14 season.
The state title team was 30-0 and defeated Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 48-46 on a last-second shot by tourney MVP Colton Linkous, a volunteer assistant for the Patriots last season. Tri-Village (19-8) ended this past season with a 49-42 loss to Cincinnati Christian in a D-IV regional semifinal at Fairmont’s Trent Arena.
Sagester said a hazing incident that rocked the community and program last season had no bearing on his resignation as coach. “That didn’t factor in at all,” he said. “It was solely a family decision.”
Sagester said a new head football coach will be announced at Monday night’s school board meeting.
“I’ll still be around, just not stomping on the sideline,” he said. “(His wife has) been a trooper for me for a long time. It’s time for me to step up and make sure I’m there (for their children) as well.”
FACEBOOK: For more high school sports you should like Marc Pendleton
JOSH SAGESTER
What: 13 seasons as Tri-Village boys basketball coach.
241-79: Overall record
126-27: CCC record
7: sectional titles
4: district titles
2: regional titles
2: state final fours
1: D-IV state title, 2015
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