He is certainly leaving Fairfield better than when he got here.
Boys basketball coach Derek Hinen walked into a scenario in the fall of 2021 where the Falcons had struggled through one of its worst seasons ever, had lost its coach mid-season, and Elkhart County was still in the throes of rigid COVID restrictions. The first-year coach, however, righted the ship and took a two-win program to 15 wins in one year, and quickly established a new culture.
After three years in the Falcons Nest, Hinen has announced he will step away from Fairfield as both a basketball coach and educator.
Hinen, who graduated from Columbia City High School and later the University of St. Francis, still resides in Columbia City and was making the 30-plus mile trek every day. Sometimes spending 12-14 hours a day on campus, life was made even harder when he and his wife, Samantha, welcomed their first child this past year. The time away from family finally caught up to the Hinens, prompting the decision to move on from Fairfield.
“Family is always the biggest factor in any life decision,” Hinen said. “It was definitely a part of this decision. While my family has appreciated all the people and support we have had at Fairfield, this was the best decision for us.”
A basketball and tennis standout at Columbia City, Hinen later played basketball at St. Francis and brought that competitive fire to greater Benton. Wins and losses aside, the program was regaining a confidence it had just a few years earlier and started to see its program numbers rising again. This past season was one for the ages, as Fairfield won the NECC tournament for the first time since 1999, and then later claimed sectional and regional titles, both snapping long droughts in the state tournament. Fairfield’s 20 wins were the most since 1995, and the semi-state appearance against Delta was the first since 2007.
While the numbers are there, Hinen’s greater goal was building character kids on and off the court, and hangs his hat on that aspect of his job more so than wins and losses.
“During my three years, I did everything I could to help make Fairfield a successful boys basketball program,” offered Hinen. “I know that my staff and I worked hard consistently and tried to pour into the kids from a basketball and life standpoint. I hope the players and community respect that more than any wins or championships won.”
Hinen also noted his decision will physically have him leave campus, but his support for the program and the students will continue.
“It certainly is about relationships,” noted Hinen. “It is hard to end some of those relationships from a professional or basketball standpoint. But I certainly know that I will continue having personal relationships with many people at Fairfield that impacted my life.”