Kackley Retires After 30 Plus Years Of Coaching

Bill Kackley has been a staple at Sullivan High School for many years.

His knowledge has helped soccer and basketball programs in four school districts and one college for more than 30 years, but following the conclusion of last spring’s soccer season, he’s heading into retirement.

Kackley’s resume includes heading coaching jobs in four different sports.

Kackley started the Sullivan boys soccer program in 2000.

He was the head boys and girls soccer coach in Sullivan and Belle for 17 years and Sullivan’s head girls basketball coach for three years.

After leaving Sullivan, Kackley was the head boys basketball coach in Belle for three years and Bourbon for three more years.

He also took on the job as Bourbon’s girls softball coach for four years.

Prior to that, he also served Sullivan’s head track coach for two years.

Kackley also was a middle school boys basketball assistant for two years in Washington and five years in Sullivan. He served as the assistant girls basketball coach for East Central College for two years and eight years in Sullivan.

Kackley was the assistant boys soccer coach for two years in Washington and one year in Sullivan and the coach for freshman boys basketball for one year.

“If adding all coaching seasons together it comes out to 60-plus seasons,” Kackley said.

Kackley said some of the biggest highlights of his coaching career included:

-Getting over 100 plus victories in both girls and boys soccer.

- Sullivan boys soccer-115-130-8 and two second place in districts.

- Sullivan girls soccer- 101-181-9.

- Belle boys soccer- 32-30-1 Final Four fourth place.

-Being able to lead soccer teams to District championship games in Sullivan, Also helping head coaches win district dhampionship games in boys and girls basketball.

-Going to state as an assistant with the Sullivan boys basketball team in 1997.

-Going to state with the Belle boys soccer team as a head coach in 2006.

Kackley said some of his favorite moments were, first and foremost, being able to coach his son Ethan all four years and daughter Aubrey and son-in-law Chase.

“Also being able to coach so many athletes and watch them grow up and have successful careers after high school.  I’ll never forget the fun times we had together,” Kackley said.

After more than three decades dedicated to coaching, Kackley plans on doing some traveling and spending time with his family, though he’s uncertain about the future.

“I really don’t know yet what my future is going to look like,” Kackley said. “I know I am going to try and recharge my battery.  I am going to spend time traveling with my wife and family since I have missed out on a lot of things due to coaching.  One thing is for sure, I am going to miss coaching and the athletes.”

Kackley said he hopes the future of the soccer program keeps growing and continues to be successful down the road.

Brian Immekus will take over the boys program and Matt Wiegers will lead the girls program.

Both have served as assistants with Kackley. Wiegers also spent time as the head boys coach more than 10 years ago.

“I also feel comfortable knowing that the soccer program is in good hands with two great coaches, Coach Immekus and Coach Wiegers,” Kackley said.  “Best of luck to the gentlemen and players.”