A LITTLE LESS than a year ago, I was offered the Port Angeles boys basketball coaching job.
Yes, the proposal was made in jest (I’m pretty sure), but it was the perfect example of the problems the Port Angeles School District was having finding coaches.
At that time, the district had been searching for a basketball coach for the better part of two months and hadn’t run across a single “traditionally qualified” candidate.
The offseason had passed, the players looking to play on next year’s team were leaderless, and a coach wasn’t hired until a few weeks before the season.
And he, Art Bell, was given the dreaded “interim” tag.
It was just the latest in a series of protracted and controversial coach searches (see girls basketball and girls soccer) for a district hamstrung by declining enrollments and fewer and fewer teaching positions to offer prospective candidates.
My how things have changed in a year.
Yes, the time has come to give props to the Port Angeles School District.
In a matter of weeks, it has found three capable coaches just in time to get some offseason programs in place before next school year.
And this with an even smaller budget (10 percent smaller to be exact) and even fewer teaching positions available.
New head football coach Dick Abrams brings a wealth of experience in rebuilding programs — something he’ll have to do at Port Angeles — from his time at Stanwood.
New boys basketball coach Wes Armstrong appears to be just the sort of young up-and-comer Rider hoops needs. And new girls soccer coach Scott Moseley also comes in with a boatload of experience for a program sorely in need of it.
(Although, it should be noted that last one is a mulligan of sorts since Moseley was turned away the first time he applied two years ago.)
So kudos to district athletic director Jeff Clark and company. They deserve it.
Now that I’ve run out of things to say, I’ll throw it over to outgoing district superintendent Gary Cohn.
“I’m extremely pleased at the results of the head basketball coach recruitment and interview process, and the similar approach for the recent hiring of the football coach,” Cohn said in a news release. “Both interview teams involved participation by students, parents, staff and community members.
“Former [Ohio State and Stanford] athletic director Andy Geiger led the football coach interviews and [district athletic director] Jeff Clark coordinated the head basketball coach interviews. I’m thankful to everyone who helped us recruit and select quality coaches for these very important assignments.
“The basketball and football programs are now well positioned to strive for the excellence our students deserve.”
Brandmire out
In less sunny news, Forks athletic director Mark Brandmire will not be returning to his post next school year.
The second-year AD submitted his resignation a little less than two months ago, and will be replaced by current Forks High School principal Kevin Rupprecht.
“The best answer I can give is I came to the conclusion that it would be best for all to allow a change to occur here,” Brandmire said in a phone interview.
“I’m hoping to be able to stay [in Forks]. I like it here. I like the community. I appreciate all the support. I think we have some great things going on in the school and with the programs.”
The Forks athletic program saw a fair amount of success during Brandmire’s tenure.
Both the Forks boys soccer and football programs both transformed into winners, with each going to state this season.
The Forks fastpitch program also submitted its two best seasons each of the past two years, while girls basketball continues to be competitive.
“I think we have a good start on some things that are happening here,” Brandmire said. “The programs are starting to grow, and I’m really happy with our coaching staff.”
PT athlete banquet
Port Townsend High School will honor its “Athletes of the Year” at a banquet tonight at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 1111 Franklin St.
Finalists for the female award are Ilsa Barrett, Emily Kunz and Liya Rubio, while male finalists are Quinton Decker, Walker Wilson and Jesse Yourish.
The male and female athlete of the year awards are given only to seniors who participate in two sports with strong academics and an adherence to the athletic code.
The event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $17 at the door.
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Matt Schubert is the outdoors and sports columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column normally appears on Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at matt.schubert@peninsuladailynews.com.
