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CEDARVILLE — Jim Villinger hasn't thought about the next time he steps onto Cedarville High School's Hickman Field.

He's just worried about getting his team ready for two-a-day practices, which begin on Thursday, July 31 — two weeks from today.

"I really haven't been thinking about it," Villinger said. "Hickman Field's got a lot of memories for me. It's going to be exciting."

Villinger has returned as head coach to the program he piloted for 32 seasons. During his previous tenure, Villinger went 247-75-3, won 14 league titles and appeared in the state football playoffs eight times. He was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998.

"We've had a lot of good football players and a lot of good coaches," Villinger said.

He retired for health reasons in 2001.

The Indians have struggled since Villinger's departure. They've won just 17 games over the past six years, and have finished 1-9 twice.

Villinger said he worked with the defensive unit as a volunteer last season, but wasn't on the sidelines. The team started with 29 athletes, but finished the season with just 17 players because of injuries.

Cedarville Athletic Director Glenn Satchell said Villinger is familiar with the kids in the program after helping last season.

"He's well aware of what his obstacles are," Satchell said. "He wants to get Cedarville football back on the right track."

Villinger is hoping to revive the school's storied tradition and bring it back to winning ways.

"I'd love that," Villinger said. "I love Cedarville football, and I'd love to see them get back to winning."

Villinger's unsure how long he'll stick around, but wants to do "anything to help" Cedarville's football program.

"We're just trying to get a bunch of kids ready to play football again," Villinger said. "I'm getting excited about it, and I think some of the people around here are, too. I've been saying: 'They just want to come back and yell at me.' "

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.