Westwood head coach Chad Hewitt, left, and his son and Patriots’ player Blake Hewitt. second from right, erupt with yells after Zachary Carlson made a buzzer-beating 3-point basket at the end of the first quarter of an MHSAA Division 3 district tournament semifinal game played at Negaunee's Lakeview Memorial Gymnasium on Feb. 27. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

ISHPEMING — Chad Hewitt has resigned from his position as the boys varsity basketball head coach at Westwood High School, according to NICE Community School athletic director Jon Beckman.

Hewitt spent the last five seasons at the helm of the Patriots, being promoted from the junior varsity head coaching position in 2014.

Beckman cited personal reasons, including wanting to spend more time with his family, for Hewitt’s decision to step down.

Hewitt compiled a 55-58 record in five seasons, leading the Patriots to two district titles in the 2015-16 and 2017-18 seasons, as well as a regional title in the 2015-16 season, topping Norway in the regional championship game 50-45 and earning a trip to the Class C state quarterfinal round before falling to McBain 49-40.

The district title in 2015-16 was won over Ishpeming 51-47.

Fast-forwarding to 2017-18, Hewitt and the Patriots again topped Ishpeming in the district title game 54-53, with his soon-to-be-graduating son and Michigan Tech commit Blake Hewitt hitting a putback buzzer-beater to send Westwood to its second district title in three seasons.

The Patriots fell to Iron Mountain in the following game 49-33 in the regional semifinals.

Westwood finished with a 12-10 record in 2018-19, falling to Negaunee in the district semis 56-47.

A search for Hewitt’s successor will begin immediately, according to Beckman.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Spitza and Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. Email them at sports@miningjournal.net.