[Big Five-0-]

I often think that Howard stepped away too soon at Pikeville.

He later came back and coached Letcher Central and helped get their program off the ground. He actually did a solid job there I thought, took them to the Semi-Finals one year if I recall (I know they played Highlands, may have been in their region though), but Pikeville was a powerhouse program that was still at it's peak when he left.

Had Hilliard continued coaching at Pikeville until 2009:
- Would Pikeville have won another State Title?
- Would Pikeville had the little dip in their program before MacNamee came the 2nd time where their feeder system had to be rebuilt essentially?
- Where would he have finished on the all-time wins list if he had kept coaching?

I am not sure he gets past Beechwood in 2003 and 2004, but I think he would have had a shot though. I also think he would have had a great shot in 1999 and 2000.

Of course we'll never know the answer to these questions, but I can't help but think if he had stayed at PHS, things would have remained stable through the years, and with continued community support, who knows, he may have ran Parallel, or close to that of Coach Haywood's accomplishments. Having said that, couldn't appreciate coach Mac and his success more.