Local athletic directors are scrambling to hire new hoop coaches.
By Randy Whitehouse
Staff Writer

Local athletic directors are learning it’s not a good year to be looking for boys’ basketball coaches.

Jay, Leavitt and Winthrop have all been in the market for new varsity basketball coaches in recent weeks, some since last spring. None have been overrun with potential candidates.

“Since the end of August, I’ve had three or four ads in the paper and no applications,” said Jay AD Kenrick Charles.

Charles is looking to replace Steve Hamilton, who resigned at the end of August after two years at the Jay helm.

Hamilton and a handful of other coaches at the school have resigned their coaching positions to protest the lack of a new teacher’s contract.

The dispute hasn’t left Charles with an overwhelming number of vacancies to fill, but he is still having trouble filling the ones he has, including several winter positions that need to be filled before the winter season begins next month.

“Fortunately, we only have three coaches in-house (teaching) and 24 out of house,” Charles said. “But I have three applicants for two cheering positions and one for two skiing positions and none for three boys’ basketball positions. Out of nine winter coaches, I have two under contract.”

“It’s a tough situation. I’m not happy about it, but hopefully by the time Nov. 17 (first day of practice for winter sports) rolls around, we’ll have someone to roll the balls out to the guys.”

Hamilton compiled a 31-12 record with the Tigers in his two seasons, leading them to the Class C state championship in his first year, Jay’s first state title since 1984. The Tigers were knocked out in the Western C quarterfinals last year.

Winthrop has had several months to find a replacement for Tom Hill and has not yet announced a new coach. Hill stepped down following the 2002-2003 season after compiling a 36-7 record in his two years with the Ramblers. He led them to the Class C state championship game last season, which they lost to George Stevens Academy.

Leavitt has had better luck looking for a replacement for Brett Hoogterp, who moved to Ellsworth after five years coaching the Hornets.

Athletic director Doug Conn formed a six-member search committee, including athletes, parents and administration such as high school principal David Wing. The committee has interviewed three applicants for the position and met last Thursday night to agree on a recommendation for Conn to decide on last Friday. That process was delayed by a death in Wing’s family.

“I won’t speak to Mr. Wall until Thursday or Friday and hope to have an announcement by the end of the week or early next week,” Conn said.

Charles said he doesn’t think there’s a lack of qualified coaching candidates around to fill these jobs. He said more and more people are leaving coaching and not getting back into it because of the time commitment needed and the lack of patience parents and fans have for coaches.

“Parents and communities need to appreciate their coaches more than they do and give them more credit than they do,” Charles said.