"I started teaching 31 years ago and except for my first year I have always been involved with a team somewhere, whether it was JV, middle school, high school," Hall said. "Thirty-one years is a long time to do anything. I just felt it was time to try something else."
Hall did say she had an opportunity outside of teaching and coaching that she is pursuing.
It is the second time in three days Hall County is losing one of its basketball coaches. West Hall boys coach Warren Sellers announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Hall coached the Lady Falcons for the past seven years and compiled a 115-79 record that included five appearances in the GHSA State Tournament (2010-2013 and 2015).
She had several fond memories of her time in Flowery Branch.
"One of my favorite moments was my second year when we knocked off No. 1 seed Chestatee to get into the state tournament," Hall said. "Also the 2011 season we won just seven games all season but pulled off three straight upsets in the region tournament to qualify for state. There are a lot of good memories but those two stand out the most."
And she is leaving the Lady Falcons in excellent shape with some talented underclassmen, including freshman Lexie Sengkhammee. There were no seniors on the roster this past season.
"They should be in great shape to make a run," Hall said. "We had a talented team but they were young. They should be an exciting group to watch next year."
Over the course of a career that spanned 25 seasons at multiple schools, Hall posted a 388-246 record.
Flowery Branch Athletic Director Jimmy Lawler said they expect a high interest for the position.
"First, Hazel is a first-class lady and we appreciate everything she has done with the program and turning these girls into fine young women," Lawler said. "She will be missed and hard to replace, that's for sure.
"Our plan is to post the opening next week and then look and see who is interested. We think it is one of the premier jobs in the area and we expect to have a lot of interest. We don't have anybody in particular in mind other then taking the best person out there. As far as a time-frame, we would like to be able to make an announcement not long after Spring Break."
Hazel Hall talks with Flowery Branch players.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/3/286283