Longtime Rebels basketball coach retires

George Hatchett, longtime coach of the Vestavia Hills High School boys basketball team, announced his retirement on Tuesday.

Hatchett guided the program for the last 35 years and is a two-time state coach of the year. Under his leadership, the Rebels made four Final Four appearances and won state championships in 1992 and 2009.

The legendary coach owns more than 550 career wins since his start in 1974 at Fairfield High School. Hatchett was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Vestavia Hills Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

"It has been a thrill to work with the greatest kids and coaches in the world," Hatchett said. "No one in America has had a better experience than me."

In addition to basketball, Hatchett spent time coaching and assisting with Vestavia's golf and football teams.

"Coach Hatchett was willing to do anything to make Vestavia a better place for our students," longtime head football coach Buddy Anderson said.

"He has dedicated his life to Vestavia Hills. Our students are losing a great man," Vestavia Hills athletic director Jeff Segars said, who also played for Hatchett as a high school student.