“You hear a lot in sports that people are stepping down for their family,” said Wilhelm, who recently turned 40. “It’s going to sound like a cliche, but it’s actually the truth this time.
“I’ve been coaching for 18 years in some capacity, and I’ve got three kids right now that are 8, 6 and 2. I want to spend more time with the kids and coach them a little bit.
“Those coaches that coach 40 years, I have so much respect and admiration for them because I think they’re a dying breed. Every sport nowadays is a year-long process. It takes a lot of time out of your life.”
Wilhelm, a social studies teacher at the high school, said he received no pressure to step down and that the dismal 2013-14 campaign played no role in his decision.
“When you graduate nine seniors in a school our size, you’re going to have years where you’re going to have to rebuild a little bit,” Wilhelm said. “It was still a little disappointing this year. I think we could’ve gotten a little more done than what we did.
“Ross High School has been nothing but great to me. The administration has been super supportive, the parents have been great. I’m going to have a lot of fond memories of the kids and coaches I got to work with. It just comes down to certain things you want to try in your life.”
Wilhelm directed the Rams to three winning seasons, going 11-10 in 2010-11, 15-7 in 2011-12 and 18-5 in 2012-13.
Ross athletic director Doug Noonan said he wasn’t taken totally by surprise by Wilhelm’s resignation.
“We had some conversations, so I kind of knew what he was thinking,” Noonan said. “Matt made a very tough decision, and as far as his family goes, that’s the right choice. He should make that choice before the coaching piece.
“We’re going to miss him as a head coach and working with our young people, but we’re still going to have the benefit of him being a teacher in the building and impacting kids in a very positive way that way.”
Noonan said the job has been posted within and outside the district. Applications will be accepted until Friday.
Noonan and principal Brian Martin will conduct the first round of interviews, and superintendent Greg Young will be involved after that. Noonan said the goal is to have a candidate ready for the next school board meeting April 24.
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