Lc Fires Williams As Coach Principal Made His Decision Before Basketball Team’s State Playoff Run

Glenn Williams, who guided Lewis and Clark to the state basketball tournament this month, will not return after nine seasons as the Tigers’ head coach.

Williams and LC principal Mike Howsom confirmed Thursday night that the principal decided not to renew the coach’s contract before the Tigers’ postseason run that landed them in Seattle for the first time in 33 years.

“There’s no finer person than Glenn Williams,” Howsom said. “He has moved the LC basketball program to its best place in 33 years. He’s really appreciated and respected. It’s just a change of direction for the program and a change of leadership.”

Williams, who replaced Mike Dunn nine years ago, did not want to give up the position.

“I’ve appreciated the opportunity to coach at Lewis and Clark High School and have enjoyed working with great kids throughout the years,” Williams said in a prepared statement. “It was a thrill and an honor to take the LC boys basketball team to state for the first time in a long time. I have nothing to hide or be embarrassed about. Ultimately, it comes down to the number of wins and losses and a vision for change in the LC program.”

The Tigers finished the season 18-11 after losing their two games in Seattle. LC lost to Sehome 54-39 in the first round. It was the closest game of the tournament for the Mariners on their way to the state championship and a 30-0 season.

Williams, however, did not believe he was coaching to retain his job.

“I wasn’t really focused on that as much as I was just enjoying the moment with those guys,” he said. “You can’t worry about what happened in the past or what’s going to happen in the future. You have to get the most out of the present.”

LC was the only Greater Spokane League team to make state this year, knocking off league champion Ferris and district tournament champion Mead on the last day of the regional tournament to claim the East Side’s third and final state berth.

A year ago, LC finished 17-9 and was the last GSL team playing, losing to Richland on the Bombers’ home court for the final state berth. No GSL team advanced to state.

In nine years, Williams had a 45-89 GSL record and 90-112 overall mark. LC had four straight losing seasons before Williams took over. After a 4-16 first year, the Tigers went 11-10 his second year.

The 35-20 record the past two seasons is the best two-year mark at the school in more than 20 years.

“I told Mike I don’t want to quit coaching,” Williams said. “At this point, I’m still concentrating on my job at LC. I love working with kids and part of that includes coaching.”

Williams, a 1981 Whitworth College graduate, will begin looking for a coaching position immediately.

LC is looking for two basketball coaches. The girls job is open since interim girls coach Jeff Norton decided to return to boys coaching. Norton took over the girls program just before fall practice began because the position suddenly opened.

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