Rick Wimmer is retiring as the head football coach at Fishers High School.
Wimmer told his players about his retirement Monday afternoon, and news spread outside of the high school soon after. Wimmer had coached the Tigers since the school re-opened in 2006.
“I just felt like it was the right time,” said Wimmer, who was already a highly-accomplished coach by the time he came to Fishers. But just by getting the opportunity to start the program, that gave Wimmer the chance to fulfill a dream.
“That was one of the things that was most attractive about the job. I was one of those guys that always dreamed of starting a football program,” said Wimmer.
Fishers quickly became a force in Indiana high school football. The Tigers played their first varsity season in 2006 without any seniors, and finished the regular season 0-9. “We were in a couple games and had chances,” said Wimmer.
But Fishers got its first-ever win in that year’s sectional, beating Kokomo 33-7. The very next season (2007), the Tigers picked up their first Hoosier Crossroads Conference win, and Fishers won the first of its four HCC championships in 2009.
“Our first conference championship in 2009 was certainly a high point,” said Wimmer. The Tigers also won HCC titles in 2010, 2013 and 2017.
The biggest title of all came in 2010, when Fishers won the Class 5A state championship. The Tigers beat Lawrence Central 38-19 in that game. It made Wimmer only the fourth coach in Indiana high school football history to win state championships at two different schools.
Overall, Wimmer compiled a record of 99-61 at Fishers. In addition to their 2010 state title run, the Tigers also won sectional championships in 2013 and 2017.
Wimmer’s first state title came in 1987, during his fifth year as the coach at Zionsville. Wimmer got his head coaching start with the Eagles in 1983, after five seasons of being an assistant coach at Rushville. At Zionsville, Wimmer went 44-12 and coached teams that won three Rangeline Conference and two sectional titles, plus had three undefeated regular seasons.
Wimmer also had nine-season stops at Merrillville (1988-96) and Greenwood (1997-2005). At both schools, Wimmer’s teams won two conference championships and at least one sectional title, and he also won a regional title at Merrillville in 1992. Wimmer’s overall coaching record is 263-144.
Prior to coming to Fishers, Wimmer noted that he had never been at any school longer than nine years.
“Obviously this was a good place for me,” said Wimmer. He plans to stay on as a physical education teacher at Fishers High School.
“Coach Wimmer ends his 37th year of guiding student-athletes through the lessons of leadership, perseverance, and teamwork,” said Fishers athletic director Rob Seymour. “Fishers HS would like to thank Coach Wimmer for his commitment to the Tigers and his passion for the game of football.”
In addition to the victories and championships, Wimmer is also happy to see his former players go on to have success in college, and then after college in other fields. He also enjoys hearing from players who come back and let him what’s going on in their lives.
“That’s probably the most rewarding part of it,” said Wimmer.
Rick Wimmer announced his retirement as head football coach of Fishers High School on Monday afternoon. Wimmer started the Tigers program when the school re-opened in 2006, and led it to great success, including a Class 5A state title in 2010. (Photo courtesy Fishers High School)