What others said about MHS' Jeff Kind
Jeff Kind, Middleton’s girls basketball coach from 1993-2022, resigned Monday.
Kind, who was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018, also coached the varsity girls basketball teams at Kohler and Cuba City for five years each. Kind finished his brilliant career with a 634-291 record and as the fifth-winningest girls coach in state history.
Kind led the Cardinals to the WIAA Division 1 state tournament 12 times and guided Middleton to 11 Big Eight Conference championships.
Here’s a sampling of what several former players and coaches said about Kind.
Liz McMahon, Class of 2014
— “Coach Kind is one of the best coaches in the game. He knew how to get the most out of each player and pushed us to be our best every day. He put in so much time to help our team be successful, and he encouraged us to always play with passion and energy. He was a great coach to play for! As a person, he is one of the kindest people and he truly cared about each player. He wanted us to be the best basketball players and people we could possibly be.
— “Thinking back to my days at MHS, coach Kind is one of my most influential mentors. He taught me the importance of setting goals and working hard to achieve them. I have always been proud to say I played basketball at Middleton, and a big part of that is because of the culture Coach Kind created for the program.”
Jason Pertzborn, MHS football coach
— “He was a winner. He built a program that could stand the test of time. It is a huge commitment to do something for that long and to stay on top at the same time. It’s pretty amazing and obviously we lose a strong veteran presence in our coaching ranks at MHS.”
Kerry Gardner, Class of 2011
— “When I think back on my high school basketball career, I can’t imagine playing for anyone besides coach Kind. He took me on as a quiet and passive sophomore, and developed me into a confident leader by the time I was a senior. When people ask who my favorite coach of all time was, I don’t even have to think twice about the answer. Coach Kind always believed in me and pushed me to be my best, both on and off the court.
“My teammates and I put complete trust in him and his game plan, as he was the driver to our success. I still think back to my senior year fairly often and would do anything to go back in time to win him that gold ball, because more than anyone, he deserved it. I hope he knows the lasting impact he had on so many players throughout his coaching career. Middleton girls basketball will never be the same, but I wish him all the best in his retirement”
Matt Stuve, Germantown girls coach
— “We had the privilege of playing against his teams twice. He is everything that is great about coaching and it was an honor to share the court with him.”
Bria Lemirande, Class of 2017
— “Coach Kind was the type of coach you just really wanted to win for. His love and passion for the game were so contagious!
“I really hope when coach looks back at his time as the Middleton girls basketball coach, he is nothing but proud of himself for the program he built and the people he impacted along the way! He had such an incredible impact on me as a player and as a person and I will always be grateful for my opportunity to play basketball for coach Kind!”
Matt Bullis, former D.C. Everest girls coach
— “I’m a better person no doubt for getting to know Jeff Kind. A true gentleman, and all class. I will certainly miss him. Congratulations Jeff on an amazing run at Middleton. Enjoy your time up north!”
Elizabeth Norregaard, Class of 2015
— “Playing for coach Kind was not only a great honor, but also just a great experience. The way he treated his players, how he ran practice and the whole structure around the program made him feel like much more than just a coach.”
Dan Wandrey, former Brookfield Central girls coach/current BC boys coach
— “Congrats on an amazing career, Jeff! I’ll always remember the time spent at the old WCSS camps — great memories. Appreciate all of the advice over the years. Enjoy retirement!”
