John Owen goes to WV

John Owen, for six years the head wrestling coach at Central Valley of the Greater Spokane League, is switching schools and leagues.

The former North Idaho College coach has been hired to teach and coach at West Valley in the Great Northern League.

Owen, 60, said he has a master’s in administration and counseling that he never used but decided, “I’m happier coaching than anything. I know I can be around kids and make an impact and the more I looked (at West Valley), I thought it would be a lot of fun.”

The coaching change coincides with Owen’s retirement as an instructor from NIC, where for 20 years, through 1997, he carved out a Hall of Fame coaching career.

The Cardinals won eight national junior college championships during Owen’s tenure.

He helped coach with his brother, Don, at University High before being hired at CV in 2002-03.

The Bears won the last two GSL titles and finished third in the State 4A tournament this year.

“We were not too far away from winning the thing,” Owen said.

He said he is indebted to CV for hiring him.

WV wrestling, once an area power, has struggled recently except for a fourth-place State 3A finish in 2003 under then-coach Geoff Hensley.

The Eagles have won only four Great Northern League matches over the past five seasons and did not renew the contract of two-year coach John Villaro.

“I told (principal) Gary Neill, ‘Who would have thought with the ups and downs we’ve been through we’d be hiring John Owen?’ ” said WV athletic director Wayne McKnight, a former Eagles head wrestling coach. “He’s a guy who can ‘Pied Piper’ kids from the corner of the walls and get them to do what they need to be successful.”

Central Valley activities coordinator Butch Walter said that nothing is official until a written resignation is received and it won’t be until August that the school posts a coaching opening.

Owen said he has hired Hensley as his assistant and is looking forward to a new challenge. He is planning a free camp Tuesday and will be helped by his wrestling sons, Tommy and Brian, as a way to become acquainted with WV athletes.

“Maybe I’m nuts to walk away (from CV) at my age, but I’m not afraid to give this a try,” he said. “I think I can do it and make it work.”