By Ken Barhorst
In just six years as the head coach of the girls basketball team, Megan Mummey compiled 95 wins, which makes her the third all-time winningest coach in program history.
So when Mummey announced recently that she was stepping down, it was a big loss for Sidney High School.
In her six years, Mummey was the Southwest District Division 1 Coach of the Year three times, and the Greater Western Ohio Conference North Coach of the Year twice.
Her first team struggled to a 4-17 finish, but she turned things around the following season, when the Lady Jackets finished 15-10.
After a 16-8 mark her third year, she put together back-to-back spectacular seasons, with records of 22-2 and 24-1, the latter including an undefeated regular season.
This season, with an inexperienced team, she led the Lady Jackets to a 14-9 mark, but an overall record of 95-47.
“When I first took over the program, knowing the shoes that had to be filled was a little overwhelming,” said Mummey. “Being from Sidney and knowing the legacy Maggi Williams left was nerve-racking, to say the least. I had a lot of support from former AD Jeff Courter, who believed that I could turn the program around. In my six years here at Sidney I have made countless memories. And one of my best memories was the 2015-2016 season going undefeated in the regular season and 24-1 overall.”
Current Sidney AD Mitch Hoying has some big shoes to fill with Mummey’s replacement.
“We hate to lose Megan,” Hoying said. “She’s been very successful and very good for the girls. We’re grateful for what she’s given us. She took a program that was struggling and made it one of the best in the GWOC North the last four or five years. She was an excellent coach and an excellent influence on the kids, and she really represented the school well.
“I think her biggest accomplishment is she weathered the rough times and got things turned around,” he added. “She got things going when the whole athletic department was struggling, and she carried it on this year.”
“I have some personal goals which I would like to fulfill,” Mummey said. “Being a head coach takes an incredible amount of energy and at this time of my life I believe it is time for new leadership to take over. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some great players, parents, and coaches here at Sidney, and I wanted to give Mitch (Hoying) enough time to find someone right for the program. I feel summer basketball is where you start to build your team.
“I appreciate all the administration on board and the community members who have always supported girls basketball,” she went on. “I am thankful for the opportunity Sidney has given me. I will truly miss coaching with my sister, but I look forward to continuing to watch the program grow under the new leadership.”
Her sister Stacy recently resigned after turning the school’s girls soccer program into one of the best in the area. The two sisters coached basketball together.
