Haynes Comes Back To The Game He Loves

One time Shirley Haynes wanted to buy a green house plant with yellow blossoms. Her husband, Don, the legendary boys basketball coach, politely informed her that wasn’t going to happen.

Green and gold were the colors of the Borah Lions, arch rival of the Haynes-coached Meridian Warriors, and he wasn’t about to stare at those damnable colors in his own home.

Haynes coached 35 years at high schools in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, retiring after the 1991-92 season at Coeur d’Alene High.

Now, he’s unretiring. Haynes, 66, has agreed to coach West Linn (Ore.) High this winter on an interim basis. He must really want to do it, because the West Linn Lions are clad in green and gold. “You know, green and gold aren’t bad colors,” Don tells Shirley these days.

Haynes will replace Bart Valentine, who has taken a one-year leave of absence to assist at George Fox University, where his son plays.

Returning to the sideline will give Haynes a chance for his 500th career win. When he stepped down after four seasons at CdA, his career mark was 492-217, with four state titles. In addition to CdA and Meridian (near Boise), Haynes has coached in Spokane, Kellogg, Moscow, Twin Falls and Astoria, Ore.

Next up, West Linn.

“I think he’s going to enjoy it a lot,” Shirley said. “He’s got a nice bunch of boys, smart, good kids. And good shooters.”

Shirley’s been in enough gyms to speak with authority on basketball. Since retiring, the Haynes have viewed about 150 games - nearly all high school.

Don is helping with West Linn’s summer team, which is playing in a tournament in California. He couldn’t be reached for comment and West Linn’s principal and athletic director were out of town.

Haynes takes over a strong program. West Linn has been to two straight state tourneys and Valentine has constructed an annual power.

Shirley said her husband didn’t campaign for the job. She said Valentine resigned, then went to West Linn’s administration and requested that they hire Haynes.

”(Don) really stressed to the principal and athletic director that he wanted it to be on a one-year basis,” Shirley said. “He wants to be fair to Bart, the kids and West Linn. So this isn’t long term. He has no way of knowing if it’s one year or maybe two.”

The Haynes have lived for two years in West Linn, residing close to two of their children. A couple of years ago, Don wrote a book about coaching but hasn’t had any luck finding a willing publisher. Other than that, the Haynes have watched a lot of basketball and doted over twin 2-year-old grandchildren.

“He hasn’t really missed (coaching), he’s very content to be out of coaching,” Shirley said. “It was time to give it up. Now he’s rested and fatigue isn’t a factor. Plus he won’t have to teach all day and then go to practice and there isn’t a lot of travel.

“He had reservations (about returning) because we’re enjoying our lifestyle. A friend of ours called the other day and said he’ll really enjoy this because, for the first time, he’ll be coaching for the love of it and there won’t be any teaching involved. But I’m not letting him buy any coaching clothes because I don’t want him to go to that extreme.”

A green-and-gold sweat outfit should suffice.

, DataTimes MEMO: Contact Jim Meehan at 208-765-7131.

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