Central Decatur’s head boys basketball coach Zach Clark announced he has stepped down from the program Tuesday morning.
Clark managed the Cardinals to a 16-7 season this past year, including a district final appearance this past year. It was his 11th year with the program.
“At a meeting with my players this morning, I informed them that I will be resigning as the head boys basketball coach at Central Decatur,” said Clark in an email Tuesday morning. “This has been a difficult decision to make, but I’ve made it after many conversations and long nights of thinking about the future. I’ve enjoyed my time as the boys basketball coach and am proud of the things we’ve accomplished as a program. We have excelled on the court as well as off the court in the classroom and in the community by participating in a number of community service activities.”
Adding to his list of services at Central Decatur High School, Clark is also the athletic director. Despite stepping away from the basketball program, Clark will remain involved in Cardinal athletics and will remain as the AD.
Clark noted there have been times where he was close to stepping away, but returned. Ultimately, he decided the end of this season was the best for him and his family.
“At the end of the last two seasons, I’ve come close to stepping away but ultimately decided to coach again. However, this year felt like the right time to step away,” said Clark. “I am looking forward to continuing to serve as the AD and being able to devote my brain to the activities department as a whole. ... I’m also looking forward to spending more time with my family during the winter months.
“We may still be at the gym, but we will be able to spend more of that time together,” Clark added.
Central Decatur will look to fill the vacancy immediately after losing six seniors as well. The Cardinals play in the Pride of Iowa, where they finished in third-place behind state qualifier Martensdale-St. Marys and substate finalist Mount Ayr.