Windhorst steps down as Southeast Polk coach

B.J. Windhorst has coached his last game for Southeast Polk.

Windhorst, 36, will vacate his position as high school social studies teacher and head boys' basketball coach at the end of the school year. He said he's accepted a position with The Chad Carden Group, a customized leadership and sales consulting firm based in St. Louis, Mo., which was founded by a longtime friend Chad Carden.

The Clarinda native and former Drake University star amassed a 118-72 record in eight years at Southeast Polk, where he guided the Rams to two state tournament berths including a runner-up finish to Ames in 2010

"B.J. came in and built a winning program," Southeast Polk Activities Director Kent Horstmann said in a new release Tuesday. "His teams were always well-coached. We wish B.J. the best of luck in the future."

Horstmann said the search for a Windhorst's replacement is under way.

Windhorst spent four years coaching in Clarinda, where he had a 66-31 record, before moving on to Southeast Polk.

"My time at Southeast Polk will always be very special," he said. "When I arrived eight years ago we were irrelevant as a basketball program. With the heart and commitment of all my former and current players, and the support of some very special people, we became relevant as a program in the state of Iowa. I will always be a Ram fan

Southeast Polk won CIML Central Conference titles in 2009 and 2010. The Rams were 14-10 overall, 5-5 in the Central this past season.

He said the decision to leave Southeast Polk was not easy.

"Teaching and coaching is all I've known in my professional life, but to be quite honest I have given some thought over the last year and a half if I needed some time away from coaching," he said. "My buddy made me an offer that I just couldn't pass up. This is good timing for me and my family right now.

"I'm blessed to have this opportunity. I'm able to go from a very good job to another good opportunity."

Windhorst said he will be able to utilize the skills he learned in the classroom and on the sidelines in his new job.

"The company helps other companies improve performance," he said. "There will be a lot of working with people, a lot of coaching, a lot of leadership stuff and motivation - stuff that I've been doing for 12 years, just in a different venue."

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This article was published in DesMoinesRegister.com on Wednesday, March 23, 2011