Illustrious would be underselling Kalum Haack’s career.

Over 850 wins, two state championships and countless district titles and playoff appearances are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to one of Texas’ most all-time winning softball head coaches’ accomplishments.

But after 26 years as the head softball coach at Katy High School and more awards, accomplishments and decorations than most can imagine getting into a career of coaching, Haack is hanging it up. He announced his retirement after Katy’s Region III-6A Final loss to Kingwood.

“I picked a profession where I loved going to work every day and not a lot of people can say that. I am so thankful,” Haack said. “It’s not fun losing, but I’ve been around great kids every day who work hard and had great assistant coaches and it’s made it all worth it. I’ve loved every bit of this career; it’s been so fun. I don’t think many people can get to the end of their career and say, ‘I loved every minute of this,’ but I truly did.”

It was a coaching career that took Haack all over. He spent 18 years at the collegiate level at Sam Houston State, Nebraska, Kansas and Alabama before coming to Katy and spending the final 26 years of his career with the Tigers. Despite his time at the collegiate level, Katy High School was the place that Haack fell most in love with.

“It’s been a ride. Mike Johnston was the one that hired me and working with him and helping out with football for 14 years along with softball was such an experience,” Haack said. “There’s nothing like this place and everyone I’ve been around from Coach (Gary) Joseph to Dr. (Rick) Hull has been such a pleasure to work with and for. I couldn’t have landed in a better spot and being able to spend so much of my career here has been a blessing.”

Over his time with the Tigers since 1996, Haack turned the program into one of the most prestigious in the state. The Tigers never missed the playoffs in his entire tenure as head coach, won outright district championships in each of Haack’s final nine years and reached at least the regional semifinals of the playoffs in 18 of his 26 years. But it wasn’t just the impact Haack made for his team on the field, it was what he taught them off the field as well that will make the biggest difference in their lives.

“He was one of my first softball coaches and I can truly say that everything I’ve learned about the game, I have learned from both Coach Haack and his wife Leslie (Haack),” said Katy assistant coach Meghan Burrell. “He has played such an integral part in me understanding the game, how it’s properly played, how to respect it and my expectations for everyone around me. Coach Haack is literally one of the best. It shows in his resume but it’s so much more than that, his impact around here will be felt for a long time.”

That impact is apparent. Katy will be jam packed with talent returning next year, which made the decision even harder for Haack. But the more he thought about it, the more he knew the time was right.

“I know this team next year is going to be just as good and I’m so excited for them. It made me think long and hard,” Haack said. “I kept thinking, ‘maybe one more year, could I do one more year?’ But I’m ready, I want to babysit my grandbabies, spend time with my family, relaxing a bit more sounds pretty good.”