Multiple sources have identified to Outside the Huddle that Derek Hinen will be the new boys basketball head coach at Leo High School.
As of posting of this article, Hinen had not responded to Outside the Huddle’s attempts to contact him.
The announcement timeline is still in the air, but could be as soon as the next EACS board meeting, which takes place on Tuesday, May 21.
Hinen has spent the last three seasons at Fairfield High School, where he amassed a 43-31 record and won the NECC Tournament this past season as the team went 20-7 and won a Sectional title, defeating Hammond Noll 41-39.
Hinen, a graduate of Columbia City, took the job at Fairfield in 2021 following stints as an assistant at Norwell and Whitko.
Prior to coaching, Hinen had a standout playing career in both high school and college around the area. He helped Columbia City to semi state as a sophomore and was a three time All-Conference performer. He went on to Huntington University for three seasons, scoring over 1,400 points. He transferred to Saint Francis for his final season, scoring 644 points as the Cougars made the NAIA Division II National title game and Hinen was named All-American Honorable Mention in 2017-2018.
Leo will have its first new coach since Cary Cogdell took over in the 2004-2005 season. Cogdell retired after this past season after taking Leo to postseason titles in three of the past five seasons.
The Lions could return multiple varsity players including seniors-to-be Sol Richard, Landon Ruoff, Brock Schott and Colton Wallace as well as junior-to-be Nolan Hiteshew. Schott however recently committed to playing college football at Miami (FL) after high school as one of the top tight ends in the 2025 class.
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