Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Moore Hasn’t Been Less For Post Falls

This is the time of year when high school boys basketball coaches normally are solidifying plans for summer tournaments and camps.

Starting lineups may not be set, but coaches find themselves projecting.

That’s not the case, though, for Post Falls High coach Scott Moore. He doesn’t know if he’ll carry that title next year. His coaching future teeters on the rim.

Each coach and program at Post Falls is evaluated at the end of the respective seasons. All the fall and winter coaches have been rehired for next year - except Moore, whose evaluation has yet to be completed.

First-year principal John Billetz said Moore’s review should be finished no later than mid-May and a recommendation forwarded to district officials. He and longtime athletic director Sherie Patano are conducting the evaluation. Neither would talk specifically about the process, saying it’s a personnel matter.

A petition, with 27 names, was given to Billetz last week asking that Moore be fired.

Two people who led the petition drive declined to be interviewed.

The dissatisfaction with Moore is because of, in part, a time-honored complaint of parents - playing time.

I find this ironic. Of all coaches in North Idaho, none played more kids the past two seasons than Moore. Apparently he didn’t give certain players (read: substitutes) enough playing time.

If Moore erred, I believe he played too many kids. That, however, didn’t affect Post Falls’ wins and losses.

Billetz said Tuesday that the petition will have no bearing on the recommendation.

“Most of our evaluation was completed before we received the petition,” said Billetz, who admitted he was aware that a petition was in the works the past month. “In fairness to Scott, I want to forward the recommendation to the district soon. We’re just trying to tie up loose ends.”

The whispers circulating at Post Falls predict Moore will be fired. The record, though, supports retaining Moore.

Consider:

Two years ago, the Trojans won the Inland Empire League championship and advanced to state, winning their first A-1 tourney game since 1988-89.

This winter, Post Falls finished second in league behind one of the most talented teams in recent memory (Lake City).

With a talented core of players returning, the Trojans will contend for a league title and state berth next season.

Moore is Post Falls’ fifth coach in the past 12 years. He became the third coach in three years when he was hired. Continuity hasn’t been a staple at Post Falls. But a pattern of success has developed under Moore and is expected to continue. His record, 51-43 in four years, ranks ahead of the past four coaches. The mark also tops the most recent longest coaching stint (Hugh Hobus, 46-66 over five years).

Two former players, standouts Darick Pope and Tim Roberts, expressed surprise when told of Moore’s situation. They also had nothing but praise for him.

“He’s a great guy. I hate to see people turn on him like this,” said Pope, a three-year starter. “Players and parents always disagree with the coach. I got into trouble a couple of times. But he was trying to turn the program around.”

Added Roberts, a two-year letterman and starter with Pope on the 21-6 team two years ago: “He treated people fair. You’re there to win, to play basketball. It’s not like it’s Parks and Rec. If I had to do it over again, I’d love to play for him.”

The record should carry more weight than the complaints of those who don’t see eye to eye with Moore. The only damage being done to the program is that of meddling parents.

That said, the evaluation should come to this conclusion: Rehire Moore.

, DataTimes