COLUMBIANA — Dave Crismon said it was time for him to concentrate on other things than winning or losing.

Crismon told the Columbiana girls basketball team Friday he is leaving after eight seasons as head coach.

“My wife was diagnosed with cancer,” he said. “It’s a journey for her and I feel I need to be there for her.”

The Clippers hosted a benefit game for the Crismons in January 2025 after Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Dave Crismon finished with a 134-50 record in eight seasons at Columbiana, including two straight Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference titles in 2024 and 2025. The Clippers finished 17-6 this season and featured an overall team effort that exemplified Crismon’s coaching style.

He also was 100-25 as co-head coach of the Jackson-Milton girls for six years, 5-38 as Lisbon boys coach (2005-08) and 32-53 as United boys head coach (1996-2000).

Crismon is a high school health and physical education teacher in the Lisbon school district, where he has taught for 36 years.

He was inducted into the Lisbon David Anderson High School Athletic Hall of Fame after leading the Lisbon softball team to a 304-158 record and five league titles.

Crismon also was an assistant basketball coach and coahed junior high football for 18 seasons.

“This will be the first time in 36 years I am not coaching something,” Crismon said. “It will be hard.”