With 31 seasons, over 400 victories and a state championship in the books, Chillicothe Boys Basketball Coach Gary Kellough is putting the wraps on his days at CHS.

So, why now?

“I’m not saying I’m never gonna coach again” said Kellough. “You never know, if you say ‘never’ that’s a long time. Right now, I just need a break. I need to step away and do some things I wanna do.”

Kellough took over the Cavaliers basketball program in 2005 and just two seasons later, led Chillicothe to its only Division II state title.

Prior to his arrival at Hatton Gym, Coach K spent 21 seasons on the bench at Zane Trace where he led the Pioneers to six Scioto Valley Conference championships, but could never get his teams beyond the District level.

That all changed when he traded colors to Blue and White. During his Chillicothe tenure, the Cavs made it to the Convo in Athens all but two seasons… 2006, in a loss to Dante Jackson and Greenfield McClain & 2010, in a loss to Waverly. Among the accomplishments at CHS: four SEOAL titles, four District championships, a Regional runner-up and of course in 2008 going the distance in a 25-2 season.

The program has come a long way from Coach K’s first season, a year with no place to call home due to the ongoing renovations to Hatton Gym, which was part of a construction phase for the campus. The Cavs found practice time at the Ross County Y and other facilities within the Chillicothe City Schools system. With home games moved to OUC’s Shoemaker Center, the Cavs finished 11-11 that first season. But every season since has been above .500 tallying an average of 18 wins and 9 losses. The Cavs finished the recent season 16-8 and reached the Division II Regional semi-final a second straight year.

Kellough smiles when he thinks of the CHS players who helped return the Cavaliers to prominence as one of the top 15 Boys Basketball programs in the state. Chillicothe’s All-Time leading scorer Anthony Humpty Hitchens finished up his college career at James Madison University in Virginia last month. After spending time at Junior Colleges, Ray Chambers found a Division 1 home at Troy University in Alabama, Jalen Ragland a freshman at UTEP, Stu Beverly and Tyler Manion who just finished the season with OU-C and this year, MaLik London who recently signed with Cleveland State a few weeks ago.

Kellough was complimentary of those who helped him build the Cavs program, from former superintendent Roger Crago to his right hands Rob Hitchens and the late Craig Hitchens. He also named all of his assistant coaches on the Cavs staff during the time, beginning with Dave Hammond who has been on the bench with Coach K for 20 years, Mike Arledge, Napoleon Cross, Donnie Jarrell, Nate Strawser, Pat Beard, Bernie Davis, Richard Scott, Brian Collins, Keith Knights and Mike Henry.

Kellough’s career mark is 427-235 and 124-44 at CHS. It's expected the Chillicothe City School board will act on Kellough's resignation at its next
meeting.

CLICK HERE to hear a sit down interview with Coach K, with Dan Ramey and Chillicothe Gazette Sportswriter Phil Gray.