GOSHEN – Brian Becthel’s run as the longest tenured coach in the history of the Goshen High School boys basketball program is over.

Bechtel, citing his desire to spend more time with his family, announced his resignation today after 17 seasons in charge of the program.

Bechtel posted a 167-205 mark in his time at Goshen. He guided the RedHawks to a 10-14 overall mark this past season, including a 3-4 record in the Northern Lakes Conference. Goshen lost to Elkhart Central 68-40 in a sectional semifinal game to end the season. Goshen has posted four straight winning seasons prior to this campaign.

Bechtel is a former standout at Fairfield High School (1989 graduate) and Bethel College (1994). He helped the Pilots win NCCAA National Championships in both 1992 and 1993 and was named the Pete Maravich Award winner in 1994 which recognizes the NCCAA National Player of the Year.

Bechtel began his coaching career at Concord high School, where he served as the freshman and junior varsity coach. He then was the head coach for two seasons at Garrett High School where he went 13-28, before replacing Mike Sorrell in 1999. Sorell coached Goshen for 14 seasons.

Bechtel, 45, guided Goshen to the program’s only NLC championship during the 2002-03 season in which they finished 15-7 overall.

Betchtel’s son Brady was the point guard for his team the past four seasons. The younger Bechtel, like his father, will play at Bethel College. Brady, who battled through a number of knee surgeries during his prep career, was the heart and soul for Goshen, which went 51-42 the past four years.

Bechtel and his wife Carrie have three children, Brady, Brooke and Quinn. Brady is a senior at GHS, while Brooke is a sophomore who plays volleyball and basketball. Quinn is a 5th-grader, who is also active in athletics.

Bechtel plans to remain at GHS as a teacher. He becomes the second boys basketball coach from the NLC to resign this week. Wawasee coach Steve Wiktorowski resigned on Monday, but will remain as the athletic director at Wawasee. Wiktorowski was Bechtel’s coach at Fairfield High School.