Stockwell Takes Off For Gu

Lake City High girls basketball coach Dave Stockwell said it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. And the man Stockwell replaced is wondering the same.

Stockwell resigned Wednesday to accept an assistant coaching job at Gonzaga University. He turned in his notice orally to LC principal John Brumley. Stockwell met with his players Thursday evening.

“There’s good potential for future coaching at the college level,” said Stockwell, who turns 45 next week. “I’ve always dreamed of coaching in college. I figured if I didn’t do it now I might not get another opportunity. The nice thing is I don’t have to move or move my kids. I just want to help turn the (Gonzaga) program around.”

Stockwell replaced Dave Fealko at Lake City three years ago after the Timberwolves had won a state title in the school’s first year. Stockwell had assisted Fealko for several years at Coeur d’Alene High.

Fealko said Thursday that a couple people have already called him about coming back.

“I thought about getting back into it two years ago when the job was open at Coeur d’Alene,” said Fealko, who coached four teams to state titles at CdA before moving to LC. “But the question I always come to is ‘is it smart to go back after you left?’ I’m going to think about it.”

Stockwell, a painting contractor, lives in Post Falls.

“It’s only 15 minutes farther to (Gonzaga) than it was to Lake City,” Stockwell said. “I’m going to miss the kids. I’ve got absolutely great kids at Lake City. I didn’t think I’d ever have to make the choice like this. I figured one day, they’d (LC administrators) say, ‘Dave, we don’t want you here anymore,’ and I’d go home.”

Stockwell’s overall record was 61-14. His first team finished fifth at state, his second was the runner-up and the third placed fourth after entering the state tournament undefeated. The T-Wolves were 25-1, the loss coming in their state tournament opener.

Fealko recommended Stockwell as his replacement. Stockwell has Corissa Yasen in mind as his successor. Yasen, a multi-sport standout at CdA, played for Fealko and Stockwell and had been planning to assist Stockwell this year. She was cut from the Sacramento Monarchs of the WNBA just before the season.

The position Stockwell will have at GU is a restricted earnings job that was added to bring equity in the athletic programs. Stockwell will continue his painting business.

“I helped on the side last year (at GU) and they want to use more of my defenses and offenses,” Stockwell said. “I turned them down twice this summer, but they offered me a job a third time.”