State championship coach retiring after 13 years in R-III district

By Kelly Bowen, Staff Writer
Posted 6/21/24

In his 13 years in the Warren County R-III School District, teacher and coach Trevor Hibbs has done it all. In 2015 and 2016, he led the softball team as head coach to two back-to-back Class 3 state …

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State championship coach retiring after 13 years in R-III district

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In his 13 years in the Warren County R-III School District, teacher and coach Trevor Hibbs has done it all. In 2015 and 2016, he led the softball team as head coach to two back-to-back Class 3 state championships. He was named GAC North Coach of the Year five times and is the only coach to bring home a state championship to Warrenton. 

Hibbs has been in education for 28 years, the last 13 in the R-III school district. During his time in education, he was a basketball coach, golf coach, cross country coach, track and field coach, softball coach and baseball coach. He was also an athletic director at one point. With the Warriors, he coached basketball, softball and baseball. 

As soon as his sons, Kannon and Garrison, got older, Hibbs concentrated on helping out the baseball program. 

While he is most well-known as a coach, Hibb’s impact in the classroom was just as big. During his time at Warrenton, he served as a health and physical education teacher, as well as an ISS teacher. 

“I don’t necessarily want to leave, but I’m ready for the next jump,” Hibbs said. “They’ve been good to me.” 

While Hibbs is retiring from high school public education, he is still planning on working. His ideal next step would be to help coach a collegiate baseball team. 

“I want to try something new,” Hibbs said. “Coaching college baseball is my goal, but I’m just working on trying to figure out how to get on at the next level.” 

Hibbs will be leaving the Warrenton baseball program after they had one of their most successful seasons since the program started.

He noted that the mix of kids returning with experience with underclassmen stepping up contributed to their accomplishments. 

Throughout the years, the team faced adversities such as injuries, burnout and commitment issues. 

“I think baseball is honestly probably the toughest sport to coach,” Hibbs said. “Coach (Eric) Burle’s done a great job trying to work though these things.” 

While Hibbs undeniably has a love for baseball, as he played when he was younger, the thing he will miss most is the students. 

“I’ll miss seeing them grow and develop into the best they can be. Hopefully, they keep continuing that throughout their life,” Hibbs said. 

It was hard for Hibbs to pinpoint his favorite memory throughout his 13 years, but he did note that he took pride in seeing a student succeed that might not have always been recognized. 

“When you see the one that struggled and fought to try to get the best out of their ability, that’s more enjoyable to me than a kid that constantly does it,” Hibbs said. 

During his time at Warrenton, Hibbs also helped coach both of his sons, Kannon and Garrison. Both of the Hibbs brothers were named to the all-state team during their high school years. 

Hibbs noted that he learned a lot throughout the years from his family and high school coaches. With the six sports he coached, he was constantly striving to learn more in order to be a better coach. 

“I’m always trying to learn and trying to study whatever sport I’m coaching,” Hibbs said. “Even with the ones that I’m most comfortable with, I’m always trying to gain knowledge so I can pass it on to others.” 

Hibbs had thought about retiring the year before, but decided he wanted to stay for one more year. With him gone next year, Burle wrote a heartfelt message for his assistant coach. 

“I truly appreciate your friendship and all you have done for the baseball program. The amount of hours spent the last 10 years helping our ballplayers and the impact you have had is immeasurable…I am a better coach because of you. Thank you,” Burle wrote. 

Hibbs had high praise for Burle noting that he did a great job working through adversities and making sure everything is put together and ready to go, something he added is not always easy. 

Hibbs also had his own message to Warrenton, “I enjoyed my time there and I’ll miss all of them. I appreciate the time I spent there.” 

“I’m ready for the next step in my life,” Hibbs said. “The way I look at it, I’m hopefully going to find myself a place to help with another program at the next level.” 





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