McIntyre succeeds Haugen as G-Prep basketball coach, Washington preps, high school sports

Gonzaga Prep has chosen one of its own to become the new Bullpups boys basketball coach.

G-Prep teacher and coach Matty McIntyre, who said he has been prepping for this job since high school, replaces Mike Haugen. It comes as no surprise.

Bullpups athletic director Paul Manfred had said when Haugen resigned that they preferred to hire from within and intimated that the job was McIntyre’s.

McIntyre turns 28 this year and is a 1999 G-Prep graduate. He went on to Gonzaga University to remain close to the program.

Despite his youth, he has coached at various levels of the program for nearly a decade, the last five as junior varsity coach.

“This has been a dream of mine since I played my last game at Prep,” McIntyre said. “I knew at 17 years I wanted to be a teacher when I finished up and wanted to come back and hopefully be the head coach some day.”

McIntyre grew up in Post Falls, was home schooled for a couple of years and attended St. Mary’s Parochial School in Spokane Valley.

He played for Haugen and was a regular for two years.

McIntyre teaches history and one physical education class at Gonzaga Prep.

“I’ve never left the program and do think I’m ready to be the head coach,” McIntyre said.

Influenced by Haugen, particularly in defensive strategy, he doesn’t anticipate much change.

“That’s not to say I don’t have a few ideas of my own I’d like to implement,” he said.

Though age may be an issue in the eyes of some, he isn’t too concerned.

Most of the Bullpups’ staff, including Brian Carney, Pat Kunz and Greg Johnson, will return to provide stability.

Haugen said in April that McIntyre had a good understanding of the program and the important aspects of what to do.

Haugen said he would be there for advice if asked.

“It’s been a whirlwind for the last month. Camp starts June 1 and I can’t wait,” McIntyre said.

“Expectations will be high and they should be.”