Jacobs girls basketball coach Haugens steps down

Jacobs High School girls basketball coach Ed Haugens has resigned that position after seven seasons at the helm.

Haugens compiled a record of 150-65 as head coach of the Golden Eagles. His team lost to Hononegah 54-48 in double overtime Thursday in the championship game of the Class 4A McHenry regional.

Jacobs won the program's first girls basketball conference championship this season, sharing the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title with Cary-Grove. The team finished 26-7 this season.

Jacobs won three regional championships under Haugens and advanced to the Class AA Elite Eight in 2004.

"I was so blessed with the opportunity to coach at Jacobs High School," said Haugens, a Peoria native who also teaches at the school. "I've been able to work with some incredible young women and some amazing coaches. I'm extremely thankful to those who allowed me the opportunity to be the head girls basketball coach at Jacobs High School. It's a role I've always held with the highest respect.

"But right now I feel I need to step aside from the role of being head coach. At this point in my life I don't have the energy to maintain the high standards I feel are necessary to be the head coach at Jacobs High School."

The personable Haugen, who is married to former Daily Herald all-area captain Melissa Tarrant, also praised the media coverage his program has received, specifically that from the Daily Herald.

"I want to thank the Daily Herald for all the positive coverage over the years," said Haugens, who didn't rule out coaching at some level in the future. "The positive press coverage the Daily Herald has given girls basketball at Jacobs and girls basketball in general has been incredible."