SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Longtime Reno County resident Jim Preston is retiring after 21 seasons as the head boys basketball coach at Prairie Hills Middle School.
"I started the seventh grade program back in 2004-2005," Preston said.
A 1974 graduate of Hutchinson High School, Preston has dedicated much of his life to mentoring young athletes across Reno County. He played baseball at Hutchinson Community College and Kansas State before graduating from K-State in 1978. That same year, he began his coaching career as an assistant with the Blue Dragons baseball team, a position he held until 1980.
Preston said it was a difficult decision to step away from basketball, but the timing felt right.
"I believe the timing is right. I've got some older grandkids now, and I need to try and see their activities more than I could have coaching middle school basketball," he said.
Preston leaves behind a legacy of success and connection.
"There were some great memories and we had some great teams," he said. "What stands out to me the most is the kids I was able to coach and a lot of the relationships I was able to build through the years—not only with the kids, but with the parents and the administration I worked for there at Buhler USD 313."
As a coach, Preston said his approach evolved over time.
"Through the years, I think my wife (Beth) would tell me that I've probably mellowed a lot," he said. "Those first few years I was pretty tough, and I've always held kids accountable and will continue to do that as long as I coach."
Under his leadership, Prairie Hills won several league titles.
"We had several league championships," Preston said. "I believe we had seven and also believe we had two second-place finishes in those years I coached the eighth grade. So yes, very successful—high expectations there—and I know whoever comes in will carry those on to bigger and better things."
Even though he’s stepping away, Preston’s love for coaching remains strong.
"I loved coaching middle school basketball," he said. "It was a really, really, really tough decision, but like I said, the timing was right. I'll miss the everyday practice. What I miss is the practice and the teaching of the fundamentals—that I think is becoming a lost art. I'm kind of becoming a dinosaur in my old age. We're not teaching the jump stops, some of the stuff on the defensive side of the ball that I think needs to be taught at the middle school level."
Throughout his years at Prairie Hills, Preston worked closely with a number of Buhler High School coaches to align the program from the ground up.
"We always worked with the high school coaches and I was involved with about six of them, from Don Cameron to now the new coach over there," Preston said. "I think it's very important that you incorporate your middle school program to try and do as much as you can to try and get them ready for the high school level."
Though he’s stepping away from the basketball court, Preston is still active in baseball. He coached various youth teams from 1993 to 2004 and led Inman High School to two Class 2-1A state tournament appearances between 2011 and 2016. He also coached Hutchinson High baseball from 2017 to 2022, leading the Salthawks to state in his first season. Now in his second year as head baseball coach at Moundridge High School, Preston isn’t ready to hang it up completely.
"I still enjoy coaching high school baseball," he said. "Somebody told me that I'll probably expire on the diamond. If so be that, that’d probably be a good way to go."
Looking ahead, Preston said he’s excited for more time with family.
"My grandson is in middle school now, so I get to watch him, and my granddaughter is in high school," he said. "My son, Andy, has three daughters, so I'm planning to watch them mature and grow in the game of basketball and softball."