Prep notes: North Central fires football coach Brian Gardner

When North Central football coach Brian Gardner was called into principal Steve Fisk’s office in early December, he thought it was for the typical postseason debriefing along with athletic director Mike Ranieri.

Instead, Gardner was given a choice to resign or be fired. It was an easy decision for him.

“I told them ‘You’re going to have to fire me,’ ” Gardner said. “I didn’t want the kids to think I quit or gave up for any reason.”

Gardner was fired after six seasons and a 10-50 record. He understood that the bottom line – wins – was the tipping point.

“We haven’t won a lot of games, I know that,” Gardner said. “But I did a lot for the program. I always put out a team that didn’t give up and we battled.”

Fisk said the program needs new blood.

“It was time to explore different directions,” Fisk said. “We’re going to look extensively outside and within the community of Spokane. We’re looking for passionate folks about education, growing kids and bringing in some new ideas and really engaging our student-athletes. We’re going to cast a wide net and see what might be out there.”

NC hasn’t had a winning season since 2000.

Gardner plans to continue coaching. He has talked with Northwest Christian coach Jim Nendell about a position. His best friend, Mt. Spokane coach Terry Cloer, has expressed interest.

Gardner, a special education teacher, is also looking for another teaching job.

• Ranieri, NC’s fourth AD in six years, is resigning at the end of the year and moving to Montana where his wife got a job.

GSL baseball jobs filled

Ferris and Central Valley have filled baseball coaching vacancies.

Scott Ward takes over at Ferris for Jim Sharkey, who resigned in November after six seasons, and Mike Amend replaces Barry Poffenroth, who retired.

Ward is a 2006 Ferris graduate who played on a league- and district-title team his final season.

“We can build a special program on the South Hill that people can be excited about,” Ward said.

His mother, Stacey Ward, is the school’s athletic director. She was not involved in the hiring process.

Sharkey, Ferris’ football coach, said it was time to lighten his plate.

“Baseball needs a little more attention at the lower levels and I couldn’t give it more time,” he said. “I’m going to miss it like crazy.”

Amend will be the second Amend to head up CV’s program. His father, Harry Amend, was the Bears’ head coach from 1970-79.

“Barry left things in great shape,” Amend said. “There are some good pieces in place.”