Hoseney resigns as LCC Lady Devils coach
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 7:09 AM PDT
By Rick McCorkle
Printable version
E-mail this articleWhile the Lower Columbia College women's basketball team was collecting its fourth-place trophy at the NWAACC Championships in Kennewick earlier this month, head coach Jason Hoseney was contemplating a crossroads in his life.
Besides coaching a successful women's basketball program and working as the director of Sports Services at the college, he was beginning a doctoral program in community college leadership at Oregon State University.
Hoseney also has a wife and two young sons who want his attention, and something had to give.
After coaching the Lady Devils for the past seven seasons, Hoseney announced Tuesday that he is leaving the program.
"This was a tough decision because coaching is something I love and have really enjoyed," he said. "I really appreciate this opportunity, but it's time for me to move on and do other things. I'll still be around and will continue to work at the college, and I'll be active in going to games."
Hoseney compiled a 128-73 record in his seven seasons at LCC, which included two NWAACC Western Division titles, two division runner-up finishes, and fourth-, fifth- and eighth-place trophies at the NWAACC Tournament.
The opening hit the athletic department at what LCC athletic director Kirc Roland described as an "awkward" time.
"That's because there isn't an open teaching position for the person who we hire to coach," Roland said. "We'll know a lot more in May when jobs become available or we have some retirees."
Roland said word of Hoseney's decision has already circulated throughout the Northwest, and he has heard from some former NWAACC coaches.
"I haven't talked to a lot of local people about the job," he said. "We'd like to see interested folks with college coaching backgrounds, but we'll also want to look down the family tree and see if there are any former players out there who are qualified."
Roland also said he will speak to potential LCC players who'll be participating in Thursday's Lower Columbia Area High School All-Star Game at Myklebust Gym.
"We'll continue to recruit for next year's team, and hopefully a lot of girls will still want to join the program," the Devils' AD said. "We're still committed to winning and having good people in the program as players and coaches."
Hoseney noted the potential of 10 returning players from this year's team when fall scrimmages begin in September.
"That'll be nice for whoever comes in," he said. "The next coach will have a lot of experienced players from a successful team, so they won't have to go out and get a bunch of players. Hopefully that will attract applicants to keep the program where it's at or take it a little further."
He said his players were disappointed when he told them of his decision.
"They understand about my wanting to spend more time with family, because my boys come to a lot of practices and games," Hoseney said. "My first priority is to them and my wife, Angela, and it's becoming harder for me to be away from them for extended periods."
Hoseney has left the door open for a possible return to coaching.
"It's not in my immediate or near-future plans, because I need to focus on my doctoral degree," he said. "When I become an administrator, it'll put me further away from coaching basketball at this level. But I'll still be around to coach my boys when they become old enough."
He also wouldn't trade away the past seven years.
"It's hard to duplicate the relationship I've had with the players I've coached," Hoseney added. "I really appreciate the players over the years allowing me to coach them. This year has been really emotional at times, and I've tried to savor the moments."
Past Month's Most Commented Stories