Drew Hibbs has always approached coaching with a hard-nosed mentality.
He can be caustic and unrelenting – characteristics that have made him a winner of 364 games, two CIF state championships and The Bee's 2000-10 boys' basketball Coach of the Decade during his 16 seasons over two stints at Foothill High School.
But even though the Mustangs are struggling this season – they are 8-10 entering tonight's home game against No. 20 Lincoln – Hibbs is a little less edgier these days.
Fatherhood can do that.
He and his wife, Stacie, recently had twins, Joseph and William. With two children (Lucas, 6, and Ava, 4) from Stacie's previous marriage, Hibbs admits priorities have changed.
"Can you believe it, 46 years old and having twins?" Hibbs said at the recent Father Kelly Tribute at Jesuit. "I go from having zero kids to having four. It's been crazy."
Now Hibbs, a stickler for details, has forgotten to bring the scorebook to games several times.
"Before, it was basketball all the time," Hibbs said. "Now I hear, 'Honey, you need to be home.' I walk in the door, and it's, 'Here's the baby, he's ready for a changing.' "
Fortunately, Hibbs said, he has a capable and experienced coaching staff in assistants Michael Micheaux, Kevin Kelly and Michael Baker.
Even though Foothill has struggled with player leadership issues and inexperience one season after winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship, the Mustangs aren't ready to throw in the towel.
The defending Pioneer Valley League champions again are looking like the team to beat in league after knocking off No. 12 Colfax 58-53 to open league play last Thursday. The Mustangs also beat Bear River 47-31 Tuesday.
"I ask our players about their legacy – are they going to be the first team not to make the playoffs?" said Hibbs, whose 15 previous Foothill teams reached the postseason. "Our nonleague schedule was tough. We're not that bad. … We tell our players all the time, 'Do your job.' Right now, we've got nine guys doing their jobs."
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