Hardin County girls basketball coach Ron Burnham resigns after 26 seasons

Two weeks after hiring Ryan Guyer as the boys basketball coach, Hardin County will be looking for a new girls basketball coach.

After 26 seasons, Ron Burnham has decided to resign.

Last season, Burnham led the Lady Tigers to a 18-9 record with a District 11-3A title win and a sub-sectional appearance.

"He's certainly been a staple here for so many years. He's touched countless lives as far as players and co-workers go," Hardin County athletic director Matthew Smith said. "He also has provided stability for our girls basketball program and our athletic program in general."

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Before joining Hardin County, Burnham coached boys basketball and baseball at Big Sandy from 1979-81. He then became Camden Central's girls basketball coach from 1981-95, leading the team to its only state tournament appearance in 1992.

In 1995, Burnham arrived at Hardin County, where he won 430 of his 588 career wins. He also led the Tigers to eight district titles, two region titles and state tournament appearances in 1998 and 2021.

Burnham said he knew prior to the 2021-22 season that it would probably be his last and is happy he left the team with what he believes will be a good roster for the next coach. 

"I feel like I have left this program in a good position. I think they have a good chance to win the district title next year," Burnham said. "Also, their is a good freshman group coming in and I knew I wasn't going to be able to stay for four years. So, I thought it was fair for someone else to be able to coach them."

Burnham will stay at Hardin County and remain the girls golf coach, and he will also retain his position as a physical education teacher.

"He's a great individual and a great coach. ... He's meant a ton to our community all of these years," Smith said.