Jessett resigns as U-Hi coach

University High boys basketball coach Marty Jessett has resigned his position, citing a desire to spend more time with his children.

“They’re 11 and 6 and they’re only going to be young once,” Jessett said. “They get to that age where they want to do a lot of things, and as a basketball coach you just don’t have the time to spend with them. It’s time for me to stop doing my thing and help them do theirs.”

Jessett, who will continue to teach math at U-Hi, and his wife, Gail, have a son, Riley, and daughter, Lizzy.

U-Hi was Jessett’s third coaching stop over the past 15 years. He spent three years coaching the St. George’s boys, nine as Cheney’s girls coach and the past three as U-Hi’s boys coach.

He’s compiled a 231-142 overall record, including 37-32 at U-Hi. This year’s Titans team finished 3-10 in the Greater Spokane League and 6-15 overall.

“The community here has been really supportive, the parents have been really supportive and you couldn’t ask for a better A.D. than Ken (VanSickle),” Jessett said. “It’s nothing related to that. Over time, if I start to miss it and my kids are older, maybe I’ll get back into it.”

VanSickle said U-Hi will advertise for a replacement later in the spring.