Rob Weinmeister has resigned his position as head coach of the Aberdeen Cougars girls’ hockey team to spend more time with family.

Weinmeister, who has guided the Cougars to four state championships, most recently this past season, has a son that is going to be a senior in high school. The decision to stop coaching was made with him in mind.

“He’s going to be a senior next year. His future plans are looking at the military,” Weinmeister said. “I kind of look at this as, I’ve got a year so I need to make the most of it.”

While he will miss being on the sidelines, this was a family-first decision.

“Obviously, with hockey we’re traveling on the weekends and everything else. I need to be there for him and support him, and make the most of this time that we have with him,” Weinmeister said. “It was a tough decision, but ultimately he comes first.”

Weinmeister coached the Cougars for five years, then got out of coaching for four seasons, before returning to the program three years ago.

“It was personal reasons the first time I stepped down, because my other son was a senior at that time,” Weinmeister said. “It’s those times that you don’t get back and I don’t want to miss them.”

Weinmeister did not rule out a return to coaching at some point, and told the Aberdeen Hockey Association he is willing to assist in a limited role.

“I told the association that I would help when I could and how I could, don’t know what that looks like right now,” Weinmeister said, “but obviously the priority is being at the games and things my son has going on.”

The Cougars capped of their season with a state championship in what turned out to be Weinmeister’s final game with the squad.

“To go out on top was good,” Weinmeister said, “but for me, man just to see the smiles on the girls’ faces, and what they accomplished after all the hard work that they put in through the year, that’s the most rewarding part of it.”

He said it was difficult informing the players on the team of his decision. Weinmeister is known for giving his players life-long lessons as well as hockey knowledge.

“That’s the reason why I came back,” Weinmeister said. “You want to make a positive impact in young kids’ lives, because they’re our future, and I hope I did that.”