Haugen returns to coach G-Prep boys basketball

Gonzaga Prep looked around for its new boys basketball coach and found him in one of its classrooms.

Mike Haugen, who coached the Bullpups for 11 years, was named head coach Friday, replacing Ken Anderson, whose contract was not renewed after two years.

Haugen, a social studies teacher, resigned as head basketball coach following the 2002 season, citing a desire to step away from coaching for a while. In accepting the job Friday, he said he is looking forward to getting back on the court.

“I had already decided I was going to help with football,” Haugen said, “because I wanted to get back into coaching in some manner. When the basketball position opened up, I thought it was time.”

Haugen was 103-73 in Greater Spokane League games during his first stint, including a GSL title in 2000, when he won his second consecutive GSL Coach of the Year award. In his decade as Bullpups coach, they qualified for nine district tournaments, four regionals and a state berth. His overall mark was 127-103.

Haugen served as an assistant to Dave Robertson at G-Prep for four years before taking the top spot in 1992. Prior to coming to Spokane, he had been a head coach in Montana.

He will replace the coach who replaced him, Anderson, who posted a 12-33 mark in two years.