The Eckert era is over.

After leading the boys’ basketball team to its most successful season in history, head coach Marcus Eckert announced his resignation from the position on Monday, taking an assistant principal job for the 2016-17 school year at Melissa Middle School.

“I’m going to miss the community the most,” Eckert said. “The kids, teachers, and culture of Liberty High School. Hopefully we can do the same thing at the new school I’m going to, but I’ll forever have this community in my heart.”

Eckert recorded a 95-58 record over the past six seasons leading the team to the 5A Region II semifinal where they fell to Lancaster.

“It’s bittersweet,” Eckert said. “We tell our kids all the time to set goals. You can’t achieve anything without setting goals and a goal of mine was always to be in administration. The opportunity came up, and I took it, but I’m going to miss the everyday interactions with the athletes, especially the basketball players.”

For the players, Eckert led them on and off the basketball court.

“Coach Eckert has taught me many things along the lines of basketball of and life but there’s one quote that sticks to mind,” sophomore Jadyn Bennett said. “‘You reap what you sow’ basically it’s a reminder that if you work hard the benefits and positive results will come in life because of the hard work you put in.”

“Eckert leaving is bittersweet because he’s leaving the strong program he and coach Melton have built over the years, but it’s great that he is pursuing his dream,” sophomore Zac Watson said. “I think he is a great coach and I’m grateful for all the things he has taught me during my two years here at Liberty.”

Eckert’s success with the program will likely result in a competitive application process for his replacement.

“It’s a high profile job,” campus athletic director Chris Burtch said. “We’re gonna have some names that I’m sure are going to be interested in throwing their name in the hat and some guys that have had a lot of success. We’re going to take our time. The person we hire is not going to be just be about basketball or wins or losses. We want all those things, but the absolutely most important thing to us that they hold the ideals we respect and help continue what Eckert has started.”

For most people on campus, Eckert was “the basketball coach”, but he hopes he is remembered as more than that.  

“My identity was never found in being a basketball coach or wins or losses,” Eckert said. “I think the success on the court stemmed from the athletes from our program from buying in and doing it right. They bought in, and therefore we were successful. But moving on, although it’s really tough, my identity is not a coach. My identity is bigger than that. Hopefully I can make an impact just like I did as a coach, just  in a different role.”