LINCOLN CITY — Kevin Tempel is the next head football coach at Heritage Hills High School.
The Heritage Hills graduate officially received the promotion during the North Spencer County School Corp. board meeting on Monday, Feb. 9. Tempel, a 2004 graduate and former All-State player, becomes only the fifth head coach in program history.
The Patriots went 12-2 last fall and advanced to the Class 4A semi-state.
Tempel graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Secondary Education and Teaching before spending three years in the Warrick County School system. He returned to Heritage Hills Middle School in 2012 as a social studies teacher. Tempel was named the assistant principal at the high school in 2023.
His experience with Heritage Hills football includes several years as an assistant under former coach Todd Wilkerson, most recently as the defensive coordinator. The Patriots have won five sectionals, five regionals, three semi-states and the 2024 Class 3A state championship since 2014. Heritage Hills allowed under 14.0 points per game in each of the past three seasons.
Tempel was chosen as the Class 3A Assistant Coach of the Year by the Indiana Football Coaches Association in 2023.
Wilkerson announced his retirement in December following a 14-year run at his alma mater. He finished second in program history with 122 career victories and reached the state final three times. The Patriots defeated Fort Wayne Luers at Lucas Oil Stadium two years ago.
The Patriots, who will compete in Class 4A for at least one more season, lose several contributors from a strong three-year run. Among the top returners including All-PAC running back/safety Tyce Winchell (529 yards, 42 total tackles), All-PAC honorable mention linebacker Aiden Fischer (85 total tackles), wide receiver/defensive back Micah Toler (460 yards, 4 touchdowns) and linebacker Andrew James (65 total tackles).
Heritage Hills opens the season on Aug. 21 at South Spencer.
The story will be updated.
Kyle Sokeland is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland or email at kyle.sokeland@courierpress.com.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Kevin Tempel named the new Heritage Hills High School football coach
