Coaching Carousel

Also open: Capital, Redmond, Meadowdale, The Dalles {in Oregon, but on WIAA}

Couple quick rumors to pass along. Remember these are just rumors and gossip and should be considered as such:

Kent-Meridian: Marcus Graham, current JV coach, is considered to be the front runner for this job. Former coach Brian Lockhart's removal came as a shock to those in the SPSL. Lockhart is a very good coach and got a lot out of those kids. KM is a tough job with a lot of roster turnover. He was able to keep them competitive and in the playoffs almost every year he was there. Whomever gets the job will inherit one of the best guards in the SPSL in Romaine Jackson.

Eastside Catholic: In another shocker Bill Liley is no longer the coach for the Crusaders. We have heard all sorts of rumors about why he will not be back, but don't have anything on the record at this point to print. Will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes out in the next few months. Only person we have heard connected to this job is recently let go Beamer coach Winston Bell. After losing in the championship game last season, EC made it to the final four this year before being slaughtered by Rainier Beach. EC loses their entire core from last year's team. There is some talent in their younger classes, but the talk has been that a number of them are possibly transferring. Whomever gets the gig will have a tough road in front of them.

Lakeside: Shea Robinson was named the interim coach after Tavio Hobson was removed following the Seattle Times investigation last summer involving Steve Ballmer, Tramaine Isabell and many others. It is widely assumed that Robinson will keep his job and that the job posting was merely a formality since he was the interim coach for the 2014-2015 season.

Redmond: We have heard absolutely nothing about this job opening. This is a terrific job with a lot of history and a lot of resources. In the postseason wrap up article in the Redmond paper there was no indication that Brian Lund wouldn't return. So it is a bit of a surprise the job opened. Lund was the coach for three years The Mustangs were down last year, but return leading scorer in guard Kevin Carpenter who averaged 17 a game last season including dropping 35 on Issaquah. If anyone knows anything please pass it along.

Bainbridge: No info on the opening, but Scott Orness leaving Bainbridge for North Kitsap came as quite a shock. Orness is considered one of the best coaches in the area and has had some very good teams on the island over the years. But judging by this article it appears he just couldn't take being in the Metro any longer: "I have been very clear where I stand with Bainbridge being part of the Metro League," he wrote. "It might be a good fit for some sports, but in my opinion, it isn’t for basketball, mostly because of the corruption that goes on around recruiting and the building of all-star teams. It is difficult for me to see my players believe in our vision, work their tails off, and fall short year after year to teams that play by a different set of rules."

Cool to see them take a chance on a young dude! Class of '09--wow. I must be getting old.

In a somewhat strange event Garfield boys posted three assistant coaching jobs on the WIAA site: Freshman Head Coach, JV Head Coach and also a Varsity Assistant.

This strikes us as odd for a few of reasons:

1. Did Coach Haskins clean house for a reason? Did it come from above?
2. Haskins is the assistant AD at Garfield. Normally when this many assistant coaching positions open up something has happened. If something happens it usually comes from athletic directors and/or principals.
3. Team is coming off back to back state titles with what appeared to be the same staff each year. Strange timing?
4. There have been rumors of Brandon Roy and Will Conroy trying to break into coaching. Could these openings just be a formality to get those guys on board? There have been strong pushes for Romar to get Conroy on board at UW for the past couple of years.

As mentioned this isn't an everyday occurrence where a head coach cleans house for no reason. When we have heard of it happening in the past it has been a directive from upper campus. Kind of a "clean up the program" initiative.

Or it could be nothing of the sort and Coach Haskins just wants to mix it up.

Either way, if you want to be a coach on the frontrunner in 3A and a chance to be a part of the most storied program in the state, here is your shot. Contact Coach Haskins if interested: elhaskins@seattleschools.org.

Congrats to coach Orness and Coach Rubin. Rubin for getting a gig at a good school and a ex-college coach should be fun to see where they go...

And for Orness for speaking out about the Metro league (really HS basketball in general). Need more to do so...tough to get the platform to do so...he took his opportunity.

The Garfield postings are interesting. But they are a tight group over there and I am sure there is a responsible explanation. Perhaps with all the coaching jobs open around the area (EC, Lakeside) maybe the GF coach(es) looking to start their own thing. I mean after winning 4A, then 3A not much more to do as an assistant...

Congrats to Coach O’Neill...HC at his alma mater (Meadowdale HS) by age 25(?), definitely makes me feel old!

Love the remarks by Coach Orness (BTW - Great guy!) I think NK is in great hands and he should do well in the Olympic league.

Based off of Coach Orness' remarks, who's interested in the Ballard or Nathan Hale jobs? You can take four 40-point losses and still go 12-8, HaHa!

Agree on the Redmond job. There is talent there plus families with money, which usually equals parents willing to invest in their kids academic and athletic future (bball camps, training, AAU, etc).

As for Garfield, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the assistants is taking a HC job and some of the assistants are going with him. Two 'ships in a row...gotta strike while the iron is hot and look into a HC job fresh off the recent success.

As for me, I think that I have a new varsity assistant coaching position wrapped up at a HS in Nashville, TN. I've loved my time at Hoggard HS in Wilmington, NC (almost as much as my time at SK!) but not too much I can do about the impending move.