Mike Hudson, Wayland High School’s most successful varsity basketball coach, has decided to give up the job after more than a quarter of a century at the helm.

Hudson, who was hired at Wayland in 1993 with no previous varsity experience, announced his decision in a letter to Athletic Director Santino DiCesare:

“I am writing this letter first to say thank you for all the support the administration, staff, parents and students have given me over the past 26 years as head coach. It has been a great honor to represent Wayland Union Schools and the basketball program.

“After a lot of thoughts and prayers, I’ve decided that it is time to step away from the boys’ basketball program. I am grateful for Mr. (former Superintendent Bob) Brenner and the board, who gave me the opportunity way back in 1993 to lead this program. Also, to the many parents and players who have put their time and talents into this program to make it successful! Another thanks to the coaching staff who gave their heart and service to this program.

“I will continue to support the Wildcats basketball program in other ways and will enjoy watching our players compete. We have enjoyed the motto of ‘Family’ in closing practices and games, it is my belief that the culture created by the players and parents this will continue!

“The memories I have had will last a lifetime… Family Never Graduates!”

Family indeed is a critical factor in Hudson’s tenure at WHS. The son of 1955 Wayland High School graduate and starting point guard on the Wildcat team that was Class C state runner-up, he played for his father, Harry, at Wyoming Rogers.

He took a struggling program that only two years before had gone 0-21 to a district championship in his first season. It was rare for any of his teams to have a losing record afterward.

Perhaps his greatest joy was coaching a team that went 23-0 in 2010 before finally losing in the Class A regionals. Many fans believed that team could have been state champions if Wayland would have had its customary Class B designation that year. Making it even more exciting was that the starting point guard on the squad was his eldest son, Wes, now the Lady Wildcat girls’ varsity head coach, who went on to record a stellar career at Cornerstone University.

Extending the theme of family, his eldest daughter, Presley, just this week had her No. 3 jersey retired by Central Michigan University. She helped the Chippewas qualify for the NCAA post-season tournament twice and this past season was national champion in free throw shooting (94.4 percent) and the three-point shooting contest with 77 of 100 attempts.

Son Avery was an all-conference choice this season as a sophomore for Davenport University. Son Ternor was a starting shooting guard for the Wildcat varsity this year. Daughter Parish was a sophomore starter for the Wildcats girls’ team. But the youngest daughter has not indicated an interest that has made the Hudson family local basketball royalty.

Mike Hudson guided the 2015 Wayland team to the Class B quarterfinals, where the Wildcats lost to eventual state champion Milan. It was the first time a Wayland boys’ team had been regional champion since Harry’s heyday in 1955.

It does not appear Hudson is getting out of the education field. He is an elementary physical education teacher and has pinch hit as an assistant principal on occasion.