Monarchs coach Poindexter accepts Port Angeles teaching position
Monday, June 30, 2008 11:42 PM PDT
By Rick S. Alvord
Printable version
E-mail this articleMike Poindexter spent 17 years as an assistant girls basketball coach at Mark Morris High School before getting his chance to move up to the No. 1 chair on the Monarchs’ bench prior to the 2003-04 season.
The rookie head coach promptly guided Mark Morris to its fourth straight trip to the Tacoma Dome for the state tournament.
“He hit the ground running,” said MM athletic director Robert Blackman, who accepted Poindexter’s resignation on Thursday. “We will miss Mike’s ability to see the big picture. He always had the best interest of his athletes in mind and showed a tremendous amount of empathy for them.”
The search for a new head coach began Monday when the job was officially posted, Blackman said. He said it would remain open “until we find someone we feel is capable.”
Blackman hired Poindexter to take over the reins from Rich Butts, who went 79-59 in six seasons until leaving the high school for another teaching opportunity in the district. Poindexter, however, won’t be staying. After 28 years in the Language Arts program, he is leaving Longview for a teaching position at Port Angeles High School.
Blackman did not know if Poindexter would serve as a coach at Port Angeles. Poindexter did not return phone messages and was unavailable for comment.
In five seasons as the Monarchs’ head coach, Poindexter piled up a 55-61 overall record. He was 13-13 in 2003-04, 13-11 in 2004-05, 15-9 in 2005-06, 3-16 in 2006-07 and 11-12 last season.
His teams qualified for district each year except ’07. In addition to leading MM to state in his first season, two more teams were one win away from qualifying for the Sweet 16.
Poindexter was named the Greater St. Helens 2A League Coach of the Year after the Monarchs shared the league title with Woodland and Hockinson.
In addition to his trademark ponytail and stellar teaching portfolio, Poindexter also was known as a chalkboard guru with a knack for pushing the right strategic buttons deep into games.
Besides coaching basketball and teaching English, Poindexter also spent many years advising Mark Morris student government.
“Coach Poindexter excelled in game preparation,” Blackman said. “All of his endeavors — teaching, coaching, student government — took a tremendous amount of time. Many days, Mike was here before 7 a.m. preparing for leadership class, and was still here at 11 at night either preparing his team for the next opponent or correcting students’ papers.
“Mike has truly been a devoted educator to Mark Morris High School,” Blackman added. “He will be missed.”
Longview Straight Guy wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:52 AM:
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