Grim steps aside after 25 seasons as ND girls basketball coach

~ The school will introduce its new girls basketball coach today.

One state title, five state final fours, 11 district titles, 441 wins and your name on the court.

Not a bad career.

Notre Dame Regional High School will introduce a new girls basketball coach today as Jerry Grim passes the reins following 25 years in charge of the Bulldogs.

"It's been a great ride," Grim said. "I've had some great kids to work with and some great assistants. We've had 11 district titles, five final fours and won one, so it's just been great fun."

Grim's last game came in the Class 4 sectionals, as the Bulldogs fell to state runner-up Farmington, 56-53. The Bulldogs finished 18-9 this past season, bringing home the program's 11th district title, all coming under Grim.

Notre Dame had just two losing seasons in Grim's 25 years, which featured a 441-227 mark. Grim sits in 15th place on the career win list among Missouri girls basketball coaches.

"It's been a successful run, but what makes a good coach is good players, and I've had some great players and assistants," Grim said. "You just can't ask for more than that."

Among the highlights of Grim's tenure was the program's lone state title, a 63-57 win over Elsberry in 2002. Notre Dame made the state championship game in all five trips to the final four, including three straight from 2001 to 2003. The Bulldogs also had runner-up finishes in 1995 and 1997.

Grim was recently honored by the school for his 25 seasons, when it named the gymnasium's new basketball court the Jerry Grim Court.

"That's just amazing," Grim said. "Who would have ever thought that a girls basketball coach [could get that honor]?"

Grim is also a member of the Notre Dame Hall of Fame.