Taylor departs softball
Darren Taylor decided two head coaching jobs was one too much.
Taylor resigned Tuesday as Lake City High’s softball coach. He will continue as head girls basketball coach.
He hinted during the softball season he was concerned he wasn’t giving both programs the attention they needed.
Taylor couldn’t be reached for comment.
“The strain of coaching two sports simultaneously has taken its toll on my effectiveness,” Taylor said in his letter of resignation. “The physical labor required to run the softball program and maintain the field, organizing both softball and basketball off-season and summer programs, and the lack of any “recovery” time between the two schedules has changed my on-field demeanor in a negative fashion. Maybe some new life, through an energetic coach, is what the softball program needs now.”
LC enjoyed much success in softball under Taylor. In six years as coach, Taylor’s teams were a combined 132-42. The T-Wolves have been a combined 35-18 the last two years, losing twice in play-in games for state berths. LC went 27-2 and captured the State 5A championship in 2001.
“First of all the numbers speak for themselves,” LC athletic director Jim Winger said of LC’s success under Taylor. “It will be very hard to match the dedication he gave to softball. He’s poured a lot of time and effort into the program and into the field. One thing you can say about Darren is he’s going to work his tail off for you.”
In five basketball seasons under Taylor, LC is 88-33. The T-Wolves have qualified for state the past three years, placing third, second and third, respectively.
Winger said Taylor is doing the best thing by concentrating on one sport.
“It’s the right thing for both programs,” Winger said. “In today’s day and age it’s a very tough thing to be the head coach in two sports. That’s the reality of the times. But what a run he’s had in both sports. In the long run I think this will pay off for him.”
Winger said the position will be advertised inside and outside the school district immediately with the hope of naming a replacement as soon as possible.
“I’m not sure if anybody inside will be interested,” Winger said. “The problem we have is we don’t have any teaching openings.”
State tournaments
North Idaho enjoyed playing host to a fair share of state tournaments in 2003-2004. That won’t be the case next year.
This year, four state volleyball tournaments, four state golf tournaments and one softball tourney were held in the region. Next year, just the 5A and 4A state softball tournaments will be held here, with 5A in Coeur d’Alene and 4A in Post Falls.
Here are the dates and sites of state tourneys for 2004-2005:
“ Cross country, all meets will be held Oct. 30 at Kelly Park in Soda Springs, which is located about 60 miles southeast of Pocatello and about 45 miles from the Utah-Idaho border.
“ Volleyball, all tourneys will be in eastern Idaho, Oct. 29-30. 5A will be at Idaho Falls HS; 4A at Bonneville HS; 3A at Shelley HS; 2A at Hillcrest HS; and 1A at Declo HS.
“ Soccer, all tourneys will be in Boise at the Capital Soccer Complex, Oct. 29-30.
“ Milk Bowl, Nov. 19-20.
“ Girls basketball, all tourneys in the Boise/Nampa area Feb. 16-19.
“ Wrestling, all tourneys will move from Idaho State University to the Idaho Center in Nampa, Feb. 24-26.
“ Boys basketball, all tourneys in the Boise/Nampa area March 2-5.
“ Track, all meets at Boise State University May 19-21.
“ Baseball, all tourneys in the Boise area, May 19-21.
“ Softball, May 19-21. 5A in Coeur d’Alene; 4A in Post Falls; and 3A in Buhl.
“ Golf, May 16-17. 5A at Twin Falls; 4A in Jerome; 3A in Buhl; and 2A in Homedale.
“ Tennis, all tourneys May 20-21 in the Boise area.