Coach won’t rejoin Viks
Leiss looks forward to clearing his name
Kent Leiss said Monday he will not return as the Coeur d’Alene High School boys basketball coach this season.
He resigned on Feb. 1, two days after a group of disgruntled parents met with administrators to discuss what they considered to be verbal abuse of their sons by Leiss and a volunteer assistant.
After thinking about his decision, Leiss asked to rescind his resignation last Wednesday.
Leiss, 49, who was in his 10th season at CdA, met for 30 minutes with school district officials Monday. He was told an investigation would take place and be concluded by March 4, the next scheduled board meeting.
Leiss said he wants an opportunity to clear his name.
“My No. 1 goal wasn’t to get the job back this season; it was to clear my name,” Leiss said. “It’s probably better for my team that I don’t come back. They don’t need me to come in and spoil the apple cart before the (regional) tournament starts Friday.”
CdA was 10-7 overall when Leiss stepped down. The Vikings (12-8), who are being coached on an interim basis by former Lake City girls coach Darren Taylor, open the 5A Region I tournament on Friday against Lewiston at Lake City.
Leiss’ record at CdA is 140-91. His overall record in 24 seasons is 328-216.