Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)
Following-up on something that I first reported on Saturday (JUCO DIRT). Tommy DeSalme has officially resigned as the head men’s basketball coach at NJCAA D1 Hutchinson Community College. It doesn’t mention it in the release from Hutch below, but I’ve heard that he will become the head coach at Bartlesville HS (OK). Here’s the official statement from Hutch:
Tommy DeSalme has tendered his resignation as the head coach of the Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball team.
Hired as the program’s 15th head coach on May 6, 2021, DeSalme leaves the Blue Dragon program after three seasons. His three-year record at Hutchinson was 75-27, including 51-21 in the Jayhawk Conference. His 359 Jayhawk Conference coaching wins at Hutchinson, Cowley and Independence rank sixth in conference history and ninth in Region 6 history.
“The time spent here will always be very special to me,” DeSalme said. “The relationships I have built here in Hutchinson will last a lifetime.”
Twice in his three seasons on the Hutchinson bench, DeSalme guided the Blue Dragons to at-large bids into the NJCAA Tournament. The Blue Dragons went 1-1, advancing to the second round in 2022. The Blue Dragons defeated USC Salkehatchie in the opening round and Chipola in the second round of the 2024 NJCAA Tournament, falling in the national quarterfinals to Connors State.
The Blue Dragons had three All-Americans in DeSalme’s tenure; Angelo Stuart in 2022, Aaron Franklin in 2023 and Kamryn Thomas in 2024 were all third-team All-Americans.
The Blue Dragons had the best offensive team in the Jayhawk Conference in each of DeSalme’s three seasons. The 2022 Blue Dragons averaged 94.2 points per game (fifth-best in the NJCAA); 97.2 points per game (third-best in NJCAA) and 86.6 points per game (23rd best in NJCAA).
A nationwide search for the new Blue Dragon head coach will begin immediately, according to Blue Dragon Athletic Director Josh Gooch.
“A big thank-you goes out to Coach DeSalme for his three years of service to Hutchinson Community College,” Gooch said. “We wish Tommy all the best in his future endeavors.”
