North Idaho legend Jordan dies
Elmer Jordan, a Coeur d’Alene icon as a high school coach and businessman, died Sunday. He was 87.
Jordan was the winningest boys basketball coach in Coeur d’Alene history, leading the Vikings to two state titles (1949 and 1963). In 23 years as head coach, his teams were a combined 425-183 (.699 winning percentage). He retired in 1968 to pursue a career in real estate.
The school honored Jordan by naming the gymnasium court after him in 2001.
“I don’t think I’ve ever known anybody that was as well liked as Elmer Jordan,” said Don Haynes, 77, who played for Jordan in the late 1940s. “I haven’t talked to anyone who didn’t like him or speak well of him.”
Jordan was born June 27, 1919, in Clinton, Iowa. He graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1938. He went to the University of Idaho, graduating in 1942.
He landed his first high school teaching job at Sandpoint and spent a year there before taking a job at a private boys camp in Wisconsin. That’s where he met his wife, Virginia. After marrying, Jordan returned to teaching when he was hired at Coeur d’Alene in 1945.
Haynes was a sophomore when Jordan landed in CdA. Jordan coached the Vikings to state runner-up finishes his first two seasons. The Viks were knocked out of the playoffs Haynes’ senior season in ‘48, when Lewiston won its first and only state title. The following year after Haynes graduated, Jordan coached the Viks to the first of two state titles.
“He was 26 years old when he got the job in Coeur d’Alene,” said Haynes, who is retired and lives in Clackamas, Ore. “His teams won a lot of games before he was 30 years old.”
Haynes said Jordan had a major influence on his life.
“He saved me as a kid,” Haynes said. “I wasn’t a very stable young kid. He was always doing something for kids. He never told anybody what he did for kids. Over the years I’ve talked to a number of people who would say ‘you know what he did for me? He did a lot for me.’ “
Haynes said Jordan received just one technical foul in his career. And it wasn’t deserved, Haynes said.
“I was coaching at Kellogg, it was in the early 1960s, and I was in the stands at one of his games,” Haynes recalled. “He (Jordan) yelled out the name of one of his players and the referee mistook it for a swear word, but he was actually yelling a kid’s name.”
Dexter Yates, who lives in CdA, played on the state title team in ‘63.
“Where do you start?” Yates asked when recalling his coach. “He was a gentleman. Above and beyond the obvious things, he was a great coach and a wonderful individual – a father figure. He was always setting an example on the court and off the court.
“I can’t remember ever seeing him angry or out of control or saying anything bad about anybody. It’s hard to find the words to describe the man. He was a polished, wonderful example for young people.”
Another former player, Charlie Nipp, who also played on the ‘63 team, will carry a fondness for Jordan for more than his influence as a coach. Nipp was in high school when his father, who worked for the Coeur d’Alene Road Department, died in an accident.
“Coach Jordan was a rock for me, and has been since that time,” said Nipp, who lives in CdA. “It’s hard in a few words to explain the impact he had. I have always felt so fortunate to have played for him. The values that he instilled in each of us, the character he exhibited, the confidence he was able to develop in each of us are things all of us who played for him carry with us each day. There are few days that go by where I don’t think about him.”
Jordan’s wife, Virginia, died in 2005. He is survived by his son, Brad, who lives in Coeur d’Alene with his family.
A funeral service will be held Jan. 19 at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church, located across the street from Coeur d’Alene High. The service will begin at 11 a.m. Memorials can be sent to Coeur d’Alene High’s athletic department.