After 11 seasons and nearly 170 wins, longtime Tremper boys basketball coach John Wilhelmson announced his resignation on Tuesday.

While the announcement came as somewhat of a surprise, the reason was simple.

“It was time,” said Wilhelmson, who went 166-89 (.651) with a streak of eight consecutive WIAA sectional appearances. “I’ve been agonizing over this for a couple of years. It’s getting to the point where I’ve either been playing or coaching for 40 years now. With all the hours that are expected from coaches these days, it’s just a grind.”

Wilhelmson said he looked forward to spending more time with his family and watching his two children grow up.

“Really, the bottom line, it’s about my wife and kids,” Wilhelmson said. “They’ve been supporting me for all these years. Now, it’s time for me to start supporting them a little more.”

Wilhelmson notified Unified Coordinator of Athletics Scott Lindgren and Tremper principal Dick Aiello and cited personal reasons for his decision late Tuesday afternoon.

With the first day of practice just over two months away, an interim head coach will be appointed shortly by Aiello. The position will then be filled permanently sometime after the season, according to Lindgren.

Wilhelmson served as an assistant for nine season under longtime Tremper coach Saint Jimenez before becoming the school’s head coach in September of 1998.

“It’s been a great run,” Wilhelmson said. “I’m going to miss all the practices and having so much fun with those kids. The camaraderie will be the hardest thing to replace. Every year, it seemed like there was another kid I became close to. I could do it forever. It was just time to spend more time with my family.”

Tremper became the first Kenosha public high school since 1941 to advance to the WIAA State Basketball Tournament with an emotional sectional final victory on its home court over Verona in 2001. Of the 166 wins, it was the most memorable one for Wilhelmson.

“This win is for every player that has come through this school and hasn’t been given the opportunity,” Wilhelmson said after the game. “I’m just so emotional right now. This team will always be remembered, that’s for sure.”

The Trojans ended the 2001 season with a loss to powerhouse Milwaukee Vincent in the State quarterfinals at the Kohl Center in Madison.

“There were some awesome kids in that group,” Wilhelmson said. “We got hot at the right time. That win against Verona was right up there with the top ones I’ve ever coached, especially being able to win it at our own gym. That was a great accomplishment.”

Wilhelmson credited all the players and coaches throughout his 11 seasons with a special mention of longtime assistant coach Randy Wilson.

Tremper takes the floor for its first day of practice on Nov. 16.

“That day will be a tough one for me,” Wilhelmson said.