LC hires Norton to coach hoops

Lewis and Clark stayed inside the building in hiring its newest boys basketball coach.

Jeff Norton, a 20-year staff member, longtime boys assistant, 15-year head tennis coach and head of the English department, was selected from an initial field of seven candidates.

“He brings a lot to the table,” said LC activities vice principal Dan Close. “He has a wealth of experience, is very kid centered and passionate about the sport.”

Norton replaces Terry Reed, who announced his resignation at the end of March after nine years as boys coach and, before that, four years heading the girls program.

A 1980 Clarkston graduate, Norton played three sports in high school and continued playing tennis at Whitworth College before beginning his career in education at LC.

His tennis teams never finished lower than second in the Greater Spokane League, at one time winning 41 straight league matches.

As a Tigers basketball assistant he coached with Mike Dunn, Glenn Williams and Reed.

He has been a freshman and junior varsity coach, varsity assistant and served one year as interim girls head coach prior to the hiring of Jim Redmon. That team went 7-13 overall and 3-13 in the GSL.

“I’ve had several people question my sanity today,” quipped Norton of taking on his new coaching position. “But there are lots of good reasons. No. 1 it’s a professional goal I’ve had for over 20 years.”

Norton said he applied for eight different head basketball coaching positions in the area and was interviewed four times.

“For whatever reason, it hadn’t come to fruition,” he said. “Maybe it’s just fate. I was destined to be here.”

Norton inherits a team that graduates just two seniors and often started three sophomores and two juniors.

“Based in part with the athleticism we have, we’re going to have to play baseline to baseline, up-tempo basketball,” said Norton.

He said his years as department head, working with different people and different philosophies, will help him bring people together.

“Long gone are the days when coaches were unquestioned,” Norton said. “You have to have thick skin and have to be a good listener and communicator, be honest and trust in your beliefs.”