By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

 

All over the state of Ohio and throughout the United States, there are coaches who can do it all.

They win games, celebrate league championships and enjoy historical tournament success.

They lead programs built around unbreakable cultures of trust, love and community.

And as remarkable as it all may be, they still are not Marty Hill.

Nor could they measure up to the lasting impact Hill had on the village of Windham during his 47 years as the head coach of the Bombers’ boys basketball team — and his lasting legacy that has remained since he retired in 2022.

Hill’s legacy exists on a variety of levels.

He elevated a program to championship-contending heights and kept it there every single year.

He took good players and made them great, and he took average players and developed them into players who earned all-league honors.

He won — a lot, but never over the importance of family, academics, sportsmanship, accountability and trust. There is a reason why the term “Bomber Basketball” was established — because basketball in Windham was different than anywhere else. In style, effort, class, respect and everything in between, “Bomber Basketball” was elite and deserving of its own nickname appreciated throughout the region. And it usually only took one game for an opposing team and fan base to experience it.

He instilled a firm belief in his players that they could do anything when they stepped on the court and they could be anything when they were off the court.

He coached the game in such an elite way that his players walked onto the court with confidence and with an existing advantage physically and mentally because of it.

He did it with extreme loyalty to Windham. He knew where his passion was, and he never chased after the opportunities that existed for him.

He coached, mentored, taught and instructed his players with so much love that they became an extension of his family.

He was humble in his actions, while still remaining the ultimate competitor. Even after the toughest games that had everything on the line, losing coaches respected him for winning with grace and winning coaches respected him for losing with dignity.

In the process of living this life on a daily basis, Hill, now 76 years old, inspired the next wave of great coaches.

Hill’s “Coaching Tree” is an extraordinary list of numbers, success and shared philosophies that they once learned from their beloved coach.

Hill’s 47-year career included 694 wins (ninth-most in Ohio history and an average of 15 wins per season), 13 league championships and three regional titles.

Accolades and accomplishments that connect the dots on a legendary career, but the trophies that shine the brightest continue to be his former players.

Here is a look at Hill’s “Coaching Tree” — his players who chose to following in their coach’s footsteps (in alphabetical order, with some who belong on this list who are missing until we are able to contact them).

 

CODY APTHORPE

Years with Coach Hill: 2005-2009.

Position: Small forward.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach always carried a high level of expectation for his players. During my time playing, he kept a consistent demeanor and never seemed to get too high or too low. I think that steadiness allowed his players to have a strengthened confidence in themselves and the team as a whole.”

Coaching resume: Rootstown middle school girls basketball (1 year); Rootstown middle school boys basketball (3 years); Windham JV boys basketball (3 years); Windham varsity boys basketball (4 years).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “We still incorporate many drills and routines that originated from Coach and my days playing for him and coaching alongside him There are still plays and concepts that we use, as well. I think, as a staff and Windham community, we continue to try to best emulate that level of high expectation and steady, positive influence that he had on so many players.”

Favorite memory: “As a player, it was making it to state my freshman year and that overall experience. As a coach, it was sitting in the coaches’ office and having conversations about a variety of topics. I enjoyed getting to know his routines through a coach-to-coach lens rather than just a player-to-coach lens.”

What made Coach Hill different: “Coach was different for me because of his longevity and consistent expectations. It’s well known that he coached generations of players and families, and I am no exception. His longevity allowed him to naturally infuse expectations that didn’t need teaching yb the time players got to high school.”

 

ZACK BURNS

Years with Coach Hill: 1998-2002.

Position: Guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach was tough on us back then, but he did it in a way that made you feel welcomed and loved. He pushed us all to be better not only as a player, but as a person. He had high standards and didn’t waiver from those standards.”

Coaching resume: Junior high football, high school football offensive coordinator, JV baseball, high school baseball (2010-2019), girls junior high basketball and girls varsity basketball.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “The biggest thing I took from Coach was to be consistent. Kids need consistency. The other thing is to make everyone feel welcomed. As a player, I was not the most important piece of our teams, but Coach always made me feel like I was still part of the family and a vital piece of our success.”

Favorite memory: “I remember going into his gym classes as an elementary student and thinking that he was a God-like figure. We thought we were so cool when he rolled out a basketball during gym class, because he was going to teach us like he did the high-school players. I also remember sitting in the stands as a young kid in awe of the team and of him. Growing up, I couldn’t wait until it was my turn to play for the Bombers and Coach.”

What made Coach Hill different: “The way he made everyone on the team feel. From the best player to the worst player. Everyone was treated the same and everyone felt included.”

 

MATT COLLIER

Years with Coach Hill: 1996-2000.

Position: Shooting guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “As a player, Coach was a like a father. He would always check on me during the day to make sure I was doing what was needed to be successful both on and off the court. He pushed me to want something more and to never settle for the bare minimum. He taught me that hard work pays off, but you have to be willing to put in the work and be accountable for your teammates.”

Coaching resume: Avon Lake youth baseball head coach (2015-2021); travel youth baseball assistant (2021-2025); Avon Lake youth basketball head coach (2016-17); Avon Lake youth soccer head coach (2017-2022); Avon Lake High school bowling assistant (2019-2024); Avon Lake Middle School bowling assistant (2018-2025); North Shore Middle School Bowling Conference league commissioner (2024-present); St. Edward High School bowling head coach (2025-present).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “One of the biggest things I learned from Coach is that sports are like family and if you have a culture built around family, you can accomplish way more than your ability. If you have a  group of players that will hold each other accountable, show up to put the work in and care for each other, on and off the field, then you can accomplish great things.”

Favorite memory: “My freshman year we were all questioning why the gym was so hot as we were doing our conditioning. He then explained how every gym has its own unique home-court advantage and ours was going to be the heat. We were going to outrun anyone that came into our gym. Sure enough, we were conditioned and used to the heat in our gym so come game time, we outran most of our opponents up and down the court, and we would all just smile when someone on the opposing team was having to leave the game for water.”

What made Coach Hill different: “What made Coach different was that he held himself just as accountable to us as we did to each other. He was never afraid to tell us he screwed up or get in there with us at practice if we were doing something wrong — or he was trying to show us something new. He didn’t just preach accountability, he lived it every day himself.”

 

JIM COLLINS

Years with Coach Hill: 1990-1993.

Position: Point guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “He had the ability to get the best out of you even though you thought you were already there.”

Coaching resume: Windham basketball (2015-present).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “To play as one, with a focus on pick-the-picker and motion.”

Favorite memory: “All of the scouting trips.”

What made Coach Hill different: “There was never a doubt that he had your best interest as a person more than an athlete.”

 

GREG COWAN

Years with Coach Hill: 1979-1981.

Position: Point guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach taught me how to be a leader. Also, he taught the basic skills first. He pushed me to develop my left hand, play good man-to-man defense and shooting skills.”

Coaching resume: Windham 7th Grade boys basketball (1995-97); Windham freshman boys basketball (1998-2000); Crestwood girls basketball varsity assistant (2001-04); Crestwood girls basketball varsity head coach (2005-07); Windham boys basketball varsity assistant (2012-2022).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “I always emphasized fast pace, full court man-to-man, ball movement and pushing the ball up the court.”

Favorite memory: “My favorite memories are from golf trips.”

What made Coach Hill different: “He was always more than a coach. He cared about you more as a person than a player and was a great example on and off the court.”

 

LAWRENCE “MAC” CUNNINGHAM

Years with Coach Hill: 1997-2000.

Position: Forward/center.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach taught me to work hard at everything I do and that practice was just as important as the game, if not more important. Because no matter how good you think you are, there is always someone working harder to be better.”

Coaching resume: Windham youth boys and girls basketball (2015-2024); Ohio Hurricanes AAU (2025).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Discipline and hustle and to use what you learned in practice. To get out there and out run them. I make sure my teams know the importance of being in physical shape.”

Favorite memory: “My best memory with Coach was against Mogadore, at home, right before halftime of a game during my senior year. Mogadore tried to inbound the ball under our hoop with less then 10 seconds left, and I stole the inbound pass three times in a row for six points in under 10 seconds. After the last basket, the buzzer went off and Coach came sprinting toward me and hugged me. That was my “I made him proud” moment, and I will never forget it.

“I also had the pleasure of getting the street in front of the school named after him as my time as Mayor for Windham. I felt it was the least I could do for him and Mrs. Hill after all they have done for our community.”

What made Coach Hill different: “Coach stuck out from other coaches, because he had a way of not just making his words just words. You seen the results of what he said and it would drive you to want to work more.”

 

SEAN DAUGHERTY

Years with Coach Hill: 2000-2003.

Position: Point guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach Hill impacted how I approached the game and my time on the team. My senior year he talked to me about being an extension of him on the court; someone who sees the game, understands where everyone is supposed to be, and who isn’t afraid to speak up and be a leader. I wasn’t the most talented player, but I understood the role he needed me to fill and I fulfilled it to the best of my ability. He preached a team-first mentality, and I think that’s what made us so successful for so many years.”

Coaching resume: Windham middle school boys basketball assistant (2003-05); Windham middle school girls basketball (2005-07); Windham JV girls basketball (2008-09); Field 8th Grade boys basketball (2012-13); Field boys basketball JV (2013-15); Tallmadge 5th Grade boys basketball (2023-24).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “I have carried Coach’s team-first approach me everywhere I went. I would run a lot of the same drills in practice that we ran in high school. I installed his “Down” motion offense on my youth team. I also installed many of the same out-of-bounds plays we used to run. In fact, in my time at Field as the JV coach, we hit a game-winning shot on one of his old out-of-bounds plays. And when I coached my son’s 5th Grade team, that’s the only play we ran under our basket. It worked almost every time. I learned how to approach players in a caring, compassionate manner, and I learned how to talk to players rather than yell at them, much in the same way he would.”

Favorite memory: “I’ve known Coach nearly my entire life. I used to sit on the sidelines, high fiving the players as they warmed up when my brother Brian Kiser was in high school. Then I was a waterboy when my other two brothers (Chad and Jeff) were in high school. He was also my elementary gym teacher. It’s hard to pick a favorite memory of Coach, but I will always remember Saturday morning basketball.

“Before all the youth leagues and tournaments blew up, we had Saturday morning basketball at the high school. The high-school players were our coaches, and we had college team names. One year my team was the Banana Slugs and Coach would post the handwritten stats in the cafeteria of the elementary school on Monday mornings. It was the ultimate bragging rights. Then in high school, we became the coaches. It was an awesome tradition and so much fun. That was my favorite part of basketball season as a kid.

“I would be remissed if I didn’t mention the impact several other coaches had on me as a player and a coach, because all of the coaches came from Coach’s tree. Jeff Stanley was my youth and middle school coach. He taught us fundamentals just like Coach, and I lean on his teachings in every sport I coach. Gregg Isler taught me a lot about patience. Coach had a voice that could carry, but he wasn’t a yeller. Coach Isler also never yelled. My yelling severely decreased after coaching with him.

“And my brother Brian Kiser taught me a lot about the game and how to see things from a variety of angles. He was Coach’s assistant all through my high-school career, and he really taught me how to understand the game the way Coach wanted. I wouldn’t have become the coach, teacher or leader I am today without those men. And Coach will always be Coach to me as long as I live.”

What made Coach Hill different: “As a player, Coach was firm, but fair. And he managed to do it without screaming and hollering. We were always team-oriented. We had team shoes, no headbands or wristbands. Nothing that made any one of us stand out more than anyone else. After I graduated, I truly began to appreciate how much he was able to continue to succeed while adjusting to new generations of players. He loosened up on the team shoes and the ‘drip,’ but he still held the same values and philosophies. It would be easy to imagine players tuning out the ‘old’ coach, but he still found a way to connect with his players and find success year after year.”

 

SCOTT GARRETT

Years with Coach Hill: 1975-1978.

Position: Forward/center.

Coach Hill’s impact: “The friendships and the memories of playing Windham basketball. As a kid, you dreamed about playing basketball for Coach.”

Coaching resume: Southeast middle school and high school basketball (1985-2026); Southeast football (1996-2026); Southeast track and field (19 years at middle school and 21 years at high school).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “We played fast, good man defense and had strong standards on and off the court.”

Favorite memory: “Coach was a ‘players’ coach, and he made basketball fun.”

What made Coach Hill different: “Coach cared about his players, and we became a family. Coach got players to give their all on the court, while making it fun at the same time.”

 

DOUGLE HANKINS

Years with Coach Hill: 1992-94.

Position: Forward.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Basically, no excuses. Play as hard as you possibly can for as long as you can. Don’t worry about the score, just play basketball. He preached all the time about toughness, quickness, physicality, playing with a chip on your shoulder within the rules of the game. Playing Bomber Basketball: All out as fast as you can. Get out and run. Just run. I remember running a lot at practice. Our practices were always harder than the games.”

Coaching resume: State Street Middle School (Alliance) boys basketball; Windham middle school boys basketball; Windham varsity girls basketball assistant; Windham varsity boys and girls track and field.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “A great defense turns into a great offense. Like the years when I played, I tried to coach the same way. Motion offense with pressure up in your face all over the floor. My teams ran. Get rebound, run. Get a steal, run. Made basket, turn and fullcourt pressure. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Every out-of-bounds play was from when I played in high school.”

Favorite memory: “My favorite memories of Coach all stem from when I was a waterboy (5th and 6th Grade with Chad Kiser and Jake Eye) and also in his gym class. I looked up to him and respected him. He gave me my nickname: Doogs!”

 

JEREMY HILL

Years with Coach Hill (Dad): 1994-1998.

Position: Forward

Coach Hill’s impact: “It’s hard to separate from being my dad and Coach. Treating people equally if you were the last guy on the bench or the best player on the team, you were coached and treated the same. Also, working hard. He preached working hard, and I can still hear him saying, ‘Nobody will ever outwork us,’ as we ran.”

Coaching resume: Youth baseball, youth basketball, 5th Grade girls basketball.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “No one player is bigger than the team; and really work on fudanmentals even in high schoo. We worked on fundamentals every practice and every rep was expected to be game speed.”

Favorite memory: “Growing up and spending so much time together at the gym and just in Windham together. It was a great way to grow up.”

What made Coach Hill different: “As a player, he was a Coach that could connect with kids and just a great teacher of the game. As someone who has watched him coach, his ability to win with different styles of play. Over 40 years of coaching the kids and game changed a lot, and he always kept evolving.”

 

MATT HILL

Years with Coach Hill (Dad): 1995-1998.

Position: Forward.

Coach Hill’s impact: “As a son and as a player of his, no other person has had a bigger impact on me as a person. I strive to emulate all of the things he taught as a husband, father, teacher and coach.”

Coaching resume: Garfield boys basketball 7th Grade, JV coach, varsity assistant and head coach (2019-present).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “The biggest philosophical influence my Dad had on me is just the way he treated people. That included everyone he came in contact with as a teacher and coach at Windham. As much as he knows about Xs and Os with basketball, what separated him from others is the relationships he built over his time at Windham. He genuinely cared for all of his coaches and players and they all knew that. This resulted in a family like culture that resulted in a lot of success on the court, but more importantly, lifelong stories and relationships that go beyond the game of basketball.”

Favorite memory: “I have too many to pick just one. My brothers and I spent so much time in Windham with my Dad! We grew up in that gym, and I have so many fond memories of my childhood being there.”

What made Coach Hill different: “The relationships he made and shared with all of his coaches and players over the years. It didn’t matter what role you served — you could be the leading scorer on the varsity team or the last guy to get into the JV game — he treated and cared for everyone the same.”

 

MICHAEL HILL

Years with Coach Hill (Dad): From birth, but in high school from 1997-2000.

Position: Point guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “He has been instrumental in shaping my approach and mindset as a player, employee, leader, friend, husband and father. Through both his leadership and the program he built, he instilled foundational lessons that have stayed with me for a lifetime, most notably the importance of discipline, preparation, loyalty and authenticity in every aspect of life.”

Coaching resume: 7th and 8th Grade basketball in Pennsylvania; youth basketball, soccer and softball.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “While I do not coach today, I leverage a lot from him in the work environment, working around people from all over the world.”

Favorite memory: “For me, there are certainly great memories in games and on the practice court, but also many great memories growing up with him as a Dad. For me, it’s less about one specific situation and more about him being there for all the little things nobody notices like mowing my yard when its long, helping to paint grandkids’ bedrooms or just checking in after a long week.”

What made Coach Hill different: “Passion and true joy for his career. He has a unique ability to meet a player or a team where they are. I always remember him saying, ‘If you can’t enjoy the challenge of making a team that should have won five games, win six, then you shouldn’t be coaching’.”

 

GREGG ISLER

Years with Coach Hill: 1980-82.

Position: Point guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Practices were grueling, but our hard work paid off in the second halves of games. We just ran away from teams. It fit right in with the work ethic my parents instilled in my brother and me.”

Coaching resume: Windham 7th grade and Windham 9th grade (1988-1998), LaBrae varsity boys (1999-2007), Windham varsity girls (2009-2015).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Pressure defense is a must and the little things matter.”

Favorite memory: “The memories are still unfolding in a 50-year journey. I played for him, coached with him, coached against him, eventually became his boss and continue to maintain a strong friendship.”

What made Coach Hill different: “He started an elementary basketball program when I was in the 5th Grade. He made us feel like we were part of something. I was hooked.”

 

BRIAN KISER

Years with Coach Hill: 1988-1991.

Position: Point guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “All I ever wanted to do from a young age was play Bomber Basketball. My uncle Mark McCoy was on Coach’s first state team and as a toddler I would go to all of the games, and he would take me in the locker room. I was hooked. Those guys were my heroes and from then on, all I wanted to do was play for Coach. He was our elementary gym teacher and every day in class we would do some shape or form of basketball. Knockout, hot shot, sideline basketball, scooter basketball, ANY kind of basketball. Al he did was fuel the fire. In junior high, I would go to the games, but he would also let me come in and watch the varsity practices and if you know anything about Coach’s practices, nobody was allowed in his practices. NOBODY!

“In his office, on the walls, he had pictures of all-league and all-state players, and I made it my goal and my mission to be on HIS wall. When I started playing for him as a freshman, they started calling me a “Marty’s Boy,” because I would do whatever he asked or told me to do, because I always knew it was the right thing to do and would make me and the team better. As the playing years went on, I was more and more entrenched in playing BOMBER BASKETBALL: Doing the right thing, making the right basketball play, giving everythi gyou ahd on every play, doing whatever it takes to win. All of that came from coach pushing the right buttons. Coach always treated everyone fairly. I wanted coach’s respect. I wanted to make him proud. I wanted him to think I was good. I wanted his approval. He pushed me to be my best. He was always right in my mind.”

Coaching resume: “Coach always told me I was a coach on the floor and that I would someday be a coach. I signed my first varsity contract at 19 years old.”

Boys basketball varsity assistant at Windham and LaBrae; Freshman basketball head coach; high school varsity football head coach; varsity football assistant; varsity baseball head coach; varsity baseball assistant; JV baseball head coach.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Almost all of my coaching philosophies stem from Coach’s Bomber Basketball. That’s the only way to play anything. All out and the right way. Practice and play HARD. At LaBrae, we broke huddles saying, ‘HARD, SMART, TOGETHER!’ That IS Bomber Basketball. We ran some of his press breaks, zone breakers and out of bounds plays.”

Favorite memory: “I have too many memories with Coach, both playing coaching, to list them all. As a player, I can remember him driving me to and from hoops cam at Indian University in his station wagon, him calling me into his office to talk basketball and life when needed, him always having my back as a player, picking me up and hugging me on game-winning baskets, locking the gym doors at practice so nobody could get in or out, some of the punishments he would hand out, playing him in HORSE or free throws before or after practice. As his assistant, I can remember all of the league titles, district and regional titles. I remember Southeast being undefeated and the TV cameras in our gym to do a story on them and us beating them at the buzzer to win the PCL title. I can always remember trying to make coach laugh. I never got to see him laugh while playing for him, but as a coach, I could always make him laugh.”

What made Coach Hill different: “More than any other coach I played for, Coach cared about me as a person, and he was always able to get the best out of me as a person and a player. I always and still do care about what he thinks of me and always want his respect. It matters to me.”

 

CHAD KISER

Years with Coach Hill: 1991-1994.

Position: Point guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach had a tremendous impact on me not only as a player, but as a coach and teacher as well. Coach is the reason I became a teacher/coach. My senior season was coming to an end, and he asked me in the locker room one day what I wanted to study in college. I thought I wanted to become a sports agent, but when Coach told me I would make a good coach, it planted a seed in my head. I decided after my freshman year to change my major to education.

“My sophomore year of college was also my first year of coaching. I actually began coaching 7th Grade football at Windham alongside Coach, who was the 8th Grade coach. We spent Friday nights scouting for the varsity coach. Coach was always a role model for me.

“I can remember growing up and gong to all the basketball games. Getting to watch some great Windham teams in the 1980’s, with players like Bobby Starks and Joe Fabry, to mention a few. My brothers and I would come back home and play hoops in the house, taking turns being our favorite Bombers. I can remember all the way back to my Kindergarten year, when Coach led the team to Columbus for the state Final Four, and I watched Gregg Isler play. I was lucky enough to be a waterboy my 5th and 6th Grade years and that was a very special privilege.

“Getting to go to every practice and being part of the team. I even got to hop into a few drills. I got to learn a lot during that time. Between being a waterboy and playing for Coach, I was able to learn so much. I got to see how to run a well-planned, effective practice, treat players and what good basketball is.”

Coaching resume: Windham 7th Grade football; LaBrae JV boys basketball; LaBrae boys basketball head coach (349-123 record, 11 league championships, 16 sectional champions, 4 district championships, 5 district runner-ups, 1 state Final Four).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Most my philosophies of coaching are directly from Coach. He always promoted a culture of teamwork. Team is always first, intense defense with all five defending together and on offense making the right play.”

Favorite memory: “I have so many great memories of Coach that it is hard to pick one. Winning the district championship my junior season, my senior season Coach got his 300th victory, and I got to present him with the game ball — are two that stand out as a player for me. I have been very lucky to have had some really good coaches. Many of those coaches have been part of Coach’s Coaching Tree like Gregg Isler, Bill Pozsgai and Jim Burner.”

What made Coach Hill different: “What I think that makes coach Hill so special is that he cares. It doesn’t matter if you’re the best player on the team or the last guy on the bench, he cares the same for everyone. He doesn’t just care about his players as basketball players, but as people. This carries over to the success of his program, becauses I believe the tradition of winning basketball at Windham in large part is due to the players wanting to please Coach. He is a coach you can trust. You can trust that he knows the game and will treat you the right way and be there for whatever you need. I knew that as a player I always had his support and that carried on after I graduated. When I became a head coach at LaBrae, Coach’s support continued. He was at many big tournament games supporting my teams. One of my favorite coaching memories was the night we won the regional championship to move on to Columbus. He was in the stands, along with coach Isler and coach Pozsgai. They all came together to support us. Being able to thank them for all that they did for me was quite an emotional experience. I owed all my success to Coach. He was the reason I became a teacher and a coach. When he told me I would make a good coach, it was getting a stamp of approval from the greatest coach I knew. It meant everything that he was there on the biggest night of my coaching career.”

 

JEFF KISER

Years with Coach Hill: 1992-1995.

Position: Guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach taught me the value of hard work, the reality that success must be earned and the importance of contributing to something larger than oneself.”

Coaching resume: Windham middle school boys basketball (1997-98); Garfield freshman and JV boys basketball (1999-2004); LaBrae junior varsity boys basketball (2005-2024); Windham boys basketball varsity assistant (2025-present).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “My entire coaching culture is built on Coach’s influence, particularly the philosophy of outworking opponents and demonstrating a genuine care for the players as individuals. When athletes know you care about them behind the sport, they give their maximum effort. Tactically, I utilize his open-motion offense and fullcourt man-to-man defense.”

What made Coach Hill different: “Coach always demonstrated how much he truly cared for his players. He remains ‘my coach’ and is still one of the first people to call or text me. When he attends a game, he stays afterward to provide honest feedback. Receiving his validation that the team played hard and the right way is more meaningful to me than a victory.”

 

ANTHONY MAIORCA

Years with Coach Hill: 1994-1998.

Position: Point guard/shooting guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “The thing that separated Coach from other coaches I had was the time and effort he gave to every age group. I didn’t know it then, but once I was a head coach, I saw how much time that took just for the season — and coach was able to make time for elementary kids and middle school kids, as well as putting all his heart into the high school team.”

Coaching resume: Garfield football assistant coach; Garfield middle school football head coach; Windham middle school football head coach; Windham middle school boys basketball; Windham JV baseball coach; Windham football head coach.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “While coaching junior-high basketball, I used every single play that I was taught by coach. There was no need to change anything.”

What made Coach Hill different: “Not only was he a great coach, he was an even better person, in my opinion. He would be there if you had any trouble and never have any judgment, which was another thing that I admired about him.”

 

RYAN MCLEAN

Years with Coach Hill: 1988-1994.

Position: Guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach was a type of coach that was always there to open the gym for anyone that wanted to put extra work in. No matter what time, if it was before school or after hours. Even on the weekends, he would be there.”

Coaching resume: Windham junior high basketball (12 years); Windham freshman, JV and varsity assistant boys basketball (6 years).

Favorite memory: “One of my favorite memories with Coach was the first year that tournaments were played on your home court, and we played JFK in a sold out Marty Hill Court. It was an exciting one-point game that we won, and I can tell you I felt the floor shaking during the game. And getting to see the enjoyment from the players and all coaches on the floor and in the locker room is something I will always have as a memory.”

What made Coach Hill different: “I was one of the lucky ones to have Coach as a player and an assistant coach. He is always there to guide you as a player and a coach — and most importantly he makes you a better person on and off the floor. He treated every player equally responsible for their actions on and off the floor. I saw it during practice, games, summer league and at basketball camps. Everyone is to play and act like a Bomber.”

 

JASON MILLER

Years with Coach Hill: 1987-1991.

Position: Shooting guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “From the days of elementary school P.E. with Coach to being a varsity manager for him in 5th and 6th Grade, nothing meant more in Windham than taking your place on the Bombers’ basketball team. Certainly playing for him was special, but what I remember most was just being there for so many conversations. Conversations overheard as a manager, conversations with him and the team as a player, conversations several years later when I would pop into the gym and just pull up a bleacher. It’s been a long time now since I’ve seen him following our move to Tennessee and my parents move back home to West Virginia, but they are still special memories.”

Coaching resume: Waterford boys basketball and Waterford girls basketball (1996-2001), Friendship Christian School (Lebanon, Tenn.) boys assistant, girls assistant, middle school boys, middle school girls, middle school baseball (2003-present); Waterford Science Olympiad (1998-2003), Friendship Christian Science Olympiad (2003-present).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Although I am no longer on the sidelines, his philosophy and culture still permeate through what I do. As I work with and advise and provide input to our current coaches, I know I’m trying to create an environment like the one I grew up in all the way back to East Elementary.”

Favorite memory: “For me, it was all about his preparation. To this day, I still assist in the background with our current basketball coaches. To stay involved, I still take on the role of gathering scout film of all our boys and girls basketball opponents and providing them with information they can use to prepare their teams. In comparison, it’s easy for us today with the Internet and sharing film online. There is no telling how many videotapes Coach had of opponents, where he had to drive to get them and scouting reports with a write-up of every player who might see the court. For us to do that today is much different than how he would have done that years ago. The time, effort and commitment to have that prepared for every game is something I didn’t fully understand then, but I appreciate it even more now that I’ve done it.”

What made Coach Hill different: “Relationships. It wasn’t just basketball. It’s why so many followed in his footsteps. It’s why so many enjoy going back to sit on those bleachers to talk about teaching, coaching and life. It was true for the whole coaching staff. For me, it was Coach, Coach Burner, Coach Pozsgai and Coach Rankin. We loved them all. But as the assistants have come and gone, Coach was still there. For 47 years. Simply incredible.”

 

TERRY PETERSON

Years with Coach Hill: 1976-1982

Position: Center.

Coach Hill’s impact: “He instilled hard work and determination and the will to win.”

Coaching resume: Garfield 8th Grade boys basketball (4 years); Garfield High School girls basketball head coach (4 years); Garfield High School boys basketball JV coach and varsity assistant (13 years); Windham High School JV and varsity assistant boys basketball (4 years).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Fastbreaks and pressure man-to-man defense.”

Favorite memory: “His reaction during the regional final against Buckeye Central in 1982.”

What made Coach Hill different: “His drive is what made him different from everybody else.”

 

CLAYTON “BUB” RIDENBAUGH

Years with Coach Hill: 2005-2009.

Position: Forward.

Coach Hill’s impact: “From the time I was able to walk, he always had faith in me to do anything I put my mind to. As a coach, he gave me the confidence to shoot because shooters shoot.”

Coaching resume: Windham 6th Grade basketball; Windham High School girls basketball; Windham high school football; Windham youth football.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Motion. Move, move, move, move!”

Favorite memory: “We won his 500th and 600th games vs. Garfield and that was special — or going to state my freshman year.”

What made Coach Hill different: “He was a father figure to anyone he coached or coached with. He always wanted to bring the best out of everyone. He would stay over after practice or come in early so players could shoot and work on their game. It didn’t matter if it was a star or the 15th player at the end of the bench, he would help you no matter what.”

 

DON RIDENBAUGH

Years with Coach Hill: 1982-1986.

Position: All of them.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach was like a second or big brother to all of us.”

Coaching resume: Windham High School football, basketball and baseball for 28 years.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Motion offense man-to-man defense, but we did adjust as we got weaker or stronger teams.”

Favorite memory: “Coach was always with me wherever I go. We spend all year together. I don’t think you would understand how close we were. We think alike when it comes to basketball. I didn’t have to tell him, and he didn’t have to tell me. I think we call that RESPECT from the best to ever do it.”

What made Coach Hill different: “Coach allowed me to do what I do, an the did what he wanted to do and we met in the middle.”

 

PHIL STARKS

Years with Coach Hill: 1978-1985.

Position: Point guard.

Coach Hill’s impact: “Coach did not only teach us how to play basketball, but he taught us how to be better role models as players.”

Coaching resume: Ravenna boys basketball; Streetsboro boys assistant.

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Playing good man-to-man defense by moving your feet, running the court in transition and sharing the ball.”

Favorite memory: “Gym class climbing the peg board.”

What made Coach Hill different: “I knew I wanted to be like Coach, because he motivated me in a way that I did not want to disappoint him while playing basketball. He is a phenomenal coach, and he brought Bomber tradition to Windham.”

 

RICHARD WAGGONER

Years with Coach Hill: 1975-76. “My senior year was Marty’s first year of head coaching. We gave him quite the storybook year by advancing to the Final Four in Columbus.”

Position: Foward/center.

Coach Hill’s impact: “He really pushed us to work hard and focus on team success. We had to be the best conditioned team in the league. Sprints, sprints and more sprints.

Coaching resume: “I started coaching about 1999 when I took on the 7th and 8th Grade team under Marty. I coached some great kids back then, including my youngest son, who like his older brother, played for Marty in high school. I had the Fincham twins, Brent and Cody, along with Zach Jacobson and their fellow classmates in their 8th Grade year. If not for the flu bug just before the championship game, we could have won it all. I think three of four starters were sick, along with the first two off the bench. They all played, but some were puking in the locker room at halftime. Those kids went on to win the league title and advance to the regionals in their senior year. I was in Coach Hill’s office every day looking for advice. He was so helpful and encouraging. I stepped away from basketball after a few years and took on the task of coaching the first junior high track team and then moving up to the high-school team, along with my wife for a few years.

“Marty’s work ethic was instilled in me even during track. I then stepped away from coaching for a few years again until I came back to basketball to be an assistant freshman coach alonside Dave Apthorpe.

“I also came on board back in the late 1990’s or early 2000’s to keep the scorebook for Coach. I so enjoyed it and said I would keep doing it until he retired. Well, he turned the reigns over to Cody Apthorpe, whose dad is a close friend of mine, so I said I would keep doing it as long as he wants me to.”

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “I used his philosophy and culture not only in my yeas of coaching, but in my everyday life. Marty is a great man, who I am proud to call my friend.”

Favorite memory: “One of my memories came during a practice my senior year. I was upset at one point with my amount of playing time. So in practice I was just jogging during springs. Coach said, ‘We’ll just keep running until Wags decides to quit jogging.’ Needless to say, I had some unhappy teammates that day.”

What made Coach Hill different: “He just had a way of connecting with his players.”

 

JIM WOOTEN

Years with Coach Hill: 1976 (5th Grade) and 1984 (12th Grade).

Position: Guard/forward.

Coach Hill’s impact: “I met Coach during his first year at Windham. He had an immediate impact on me as a child from a small town, and I wanted to be like him. What he knew about the game and how he conducted himself with all of us not only on the court, but in the class and away from school. I was hooked the first time we met. His outward persona made me want to do better and succeed in everything I did that my heart and mind were in.”

Coaching resume: 5th and 6th Grade girls basketball; Marine Corps intramural basketball (1980’s and 1990’s).

Philosophies, culture and playbook items Coach Hill influenced: “Coach always pushed fundamentals and positive attitude. Not only on the court, but in life as well. I have taught the basics to every age group I have interacted with over the yards. Even this last year, I found it important in the recreation leagues, after making calls as a referee, to take the time to show the kids why I made the call I did. Also during games, to applaud them for outstanding play and to be positive with them when they get upset with themselves for a mistake.”

Favorite memory: “I met Coach the summer before he started teaching at Windham. I had no idea who this man was who was painting trailers in the park I lived in. He obviously had no idea who I was either, but yet he befriended me that summer. He took the time to talk to me when I stuck my nose in as any inquisitive child does. Much to my surprise when I showed up at the school that fall, there he was. I found myself in awe of him, and if I could have had him in every class, school would have been perfect.”

What made Coach Hill different: “For me, it was how genuine he was as a teacher, coach and person. Not only in how he dealt with me, but how I saw him engage with everyone who crossed his path. I saw myself, my friends and his family grow over the years and without doubt, many of us would not have achieved the things in life we have if it was not for the influence Coach had in our lives. Because of the drive and determination I learned from being around Coach, I have had many successes in my life that I accredit to him.”