Three Quad-City basketball coaches step aside

Source: qctimes.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Three high school basketball coaches in the Quad-City area - Steve Hillman of Pleasant Valley boys, Katelyn Hallgren of Moline girls, and one other girls coach - are stepping aside following the recently ended season. The article by TJ Johnston in the Quad-City Times, published April 4, 2026, reports on this flurry of offseason moves. These departures come as spring sports begin, prompting searches for replacements in local Mississippi Athletic Conference programs.[[1]](https://qctimes.com/sports/high-school/basketball/article_6ab272fb-84a5-42e3-8794-dfa7a6f5fe64.html)[[2]](https://www.kwqc.com/2026/04/07/pleasant-valley-basketball-coach-steve-hillman-retires-after-23-seasons-with-spartans)

Key points

Details and context

The Quad Cities straddle Iowa and Illinois along the Mississippi River, with schools like Pleasant Valley (Bettendorf, Iowa) and Moline (Illinois) competing in the Mississippi Athletic Conference (MAC). Hillman's long run made Pleasant Valley a consistent contender, with state appearances highlighting his impact.[[2]](https://www.kwqc.com/2026/04/07/pleasant-valley-basketball-coach-steve-hillman-retires-after-23-seasons-with-spartans)

Hallgren's quick success at Moline came after a prior role at Assumption High School; her exit aligns with family priorities, as noted by athletic director Todd Thompson.[[3]](https://www.ourquadcities.com/sports/local-sports/qcsportsnet/breaking-news-moline-girls-basketball-coach-katelyn-hallgren-stepping-down)

The third coach remains unidentified in secondary sources, but the article frames all three as recent announcements tied to the end of winter sports.

Key quotes

Steve Hillman: “Doing things the way that I was taught and I believed that were the correct way as far as how you treat people and how you interact and having high expectations and working hard... All those things that are great life lessons and kind of trying to hold true to those as a coach as well.”[[2]](https://www.kwqc.com/2026/04/07/pleasant-valley-basketball-coach-steve-hillman-retires-after-23-seasons-with-spartans)

Moline AD Todd Thompson on Hallgren: “Coach Hallgren did an exceptional job leading the Maroons the past two seasons. She will be missed on the sidelines but I cannot be happier for her and husband Billy Hallgren as they start the next phase of their life with a child in the upcoming months.”[[3]](https://www.ourquadcities.com/sports/local-sports/qcsportsnet/breaking-news-moline-girls-basketball-coach-katelyn-hallgren-stepping-down)

Why it matters

Local high school sports programs lose experienced leaders, affecting team culture and performance in competitive MAC play.

Players, parents, and schools face coaching searches that could shape next season's prospects amid roster changes.

Watch for official hires and the unnamed third coach's details as spring transitions to fall practice.