Northfield Mount Hermon will have a new boys basketball coach next season. 

John Carroll, who had been coaching the Hoggers for the past 21 years, announced on Monday he would not be signing a new contract with the school. 

“Earlier today, after 21 years at NMH, I informed the Head of School and Dean of Faculty that I have decided not to sign my NMH employment contract for the 2022-23 school year,” Carroll said in a statement published on his Twitter account on Monday. “During a recent meeting with the NMH Director of Athletics, I learned that NMH plans to make changes to the boys basketball program. These changes are not aligned with my core values and approach as a basketball coach and program leader. My top priority has always been to provide the very best program for student-athletes to develop, be prepared for college and achieve their dreams.

“Prior to now, I never contemplated leaving NMH. I do not know what the future will bring, but I am clear that I will continue to make an impact on the lives of athletes.” 

Carroll leaves behind a lasting legacy at his alma mater. NMH has been a national power under Carroll, being crowned the NEPSAC champions in 2012, 2016, 2018 and 2019. 

This year the Hoggers made their ninth trip to the Prep National Championship final four, ultimately advancing to the national title game where they fell to Putnam Science over the weekend.

It was the fifth appearance in the national title game for NMH, and it won the national title in 2013. Over the past six seasons, the Hoggers have won 182 games for an average of 30 wins per season. 

“Northfield Mount Hermon changed my life twice,” Carroll said in his statement. “First as a student and then again as a coach. NMH provided me with opportunities to grow and strive for excellence across all areas of my life. I will forever be grateful for that and for the chance to share the lessons I’ve learned with the NMH students and student-athletes.

“Thank you to every NMH student, coach and player I have ever worked with,” Carroll said. “You all played an important role in building NMH into the best academic and basketball school in the country. Thank you Bill Batty and Brian Driscoll for inspiring me to attend NMH back in August of 1988. You taught me the importance of lifelong learning. That quest continues as I move forward and step into a new chapter of my life. I’ll carry NMH with me always.” 

Carroll has routinely sent players on to the next level. In the past 15 years he’s sent 45 players to the Ivy League and this years team has players with commitments to Texas, Northwestern, Columbia, Lafayette and Army.

“John Carroll is a living legend among active high school coaches,” Northfield Mount Hermon Head of School Brian Hargrove said in a press release on Monday. “At NMH, he has coached well over 100 Division I basketball players. He has led NMH basketball to the distinction of being the best combination of academics and basketball in the country, and is among an elite group of coaches in the United States who have coached numerous players that have matriculated to the Ivy League. While it is always difficult to say goodbye to a longtime colleague, we are so grateful for his dedication to NMH students, his loyalty to his alma mater, and his love for the game.”

NMH athletic directory Debby Ghezzi also acknowledged Carroll’s departure in the school’s release.

“John has provided selfless leadership to the program during his tenure,” Ghezzi added. “His commitment to his players and to Northfield Mount Hermon is deeply appreciated.”

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