After more than two decades at the helm of the Gainesville girls basketball program, Manson Hill announced his resignation from the school on Friday.

Gainesville lost in triple overtime to Franklin County on Tuesday in the second round of the Region 8-AAA tournament. The loss put the Lady Red Elephants out of the state playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons.

"He's got an unbelievable record and he's going to be in the Georgia Hall of Fame soon," Gainesville athletic director Wayne Vickery said. "Not only is he a great coach, but he's a great teacher. When Manson Hill took over, the Gainesville girls program was at rock bottom, and now look where it is.

"He's going to be hard to replace."

Under Hill, the Lady Red Elephants advanced past the second round of the state tournament eight times, winning the title in 1994, 2001, 2003 and 2004.

Gainesville finished 14-12 this season after winning three straight region championships.

Hill said he didn’t want the news of his decision to overshadow the ongoing region tournament and declined to comment further.