A new era to begin: Miners’ state champion Hill takes over Negaunee boys program

Negaunee’s Kyle Waterman, left, keeps the ball away from Marquette defender Ford Richardson during their high school boys basketball game played at the Barb Crill Gymnasium in Marquette on Feb. 14. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)
NEGAUNEE — Bill Hill has a wealth of experience to call upon as the new varsity head coach of Negaunee High School boys basketball.
But it sure sounds like he has a special place in his head and his heart for his own high school coach — who just happens to be a predecessor to his job.
Tom Russo coached the Miners to the Michigan High School Athletic Association state championship in Class C in March 2000, a Negaunee team that Hill just happened to be a senior leader on.
“Coach Russo brought a team mentality,” Hill said by telephone this week, about a month after he was officially named to the position following a vote at the June 23 Negaunee Public Schools board meeting.
“I was a freshman when he took over the Negaunee program. We sacrificed for each other. It was what could we do for the good of the team, not for own selves.
“I’ll bring all of that to our program.”
He takes over from Brad Nelson, who coached the Miners for three seasons.
After playing for the state champs, Hill went on to star at Northern Michigan University, where he earned All-GLIAC Second Team honors twice and ranks sixth on the career scoring list with 1,612 points.
He still holds the Wildcats’ all-time 3-point records with 225 made and 564 attempts during his four years, was the team’s leading scorer his final three seasons and team MVP the final two.
Hill, 43, went on to play professionally in Europe before transitioning to coaching for several Marquette County high school programs.
He later came back to NMU for about a half-dozen years, first as an assistant coach to men’s head coach Dean Ellis, also a Negaunee native, and then with women’s head coach Troy Mattson, a Westwood High School graduate. He then assisted with subsequent men’s head coach Bill Sall.
“I’ve played and have coached with some really good coaches,” Hill said, talking more about each of his mentor’s style and strengths. “And all the networking that’s allowed me to have with other coaches I’ve met — it’s really fantastic.”
But Russo seemed to bring out the most passion in Hill.
“I was just talking with him,” he said, surely including some memories of Negaunee’s state championship game against downstate Merrill.
The Miners won that game 52-45 as Hill scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to go with team highs of three assists and three steals. Interestingly, each member of the starting five played all 32 minutes for this Negaunee squad.
“I’m a defense-first guy,” Hill said about his plans for the Miners, who’s he had a chance to see already at some open gyms and at a team camp.
Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.

