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Change of heart keeps basketball coach at Prairie

Kyle Brooks was hired to be boys coach at Mountain View

By Paul Valencia, Columbian High School Sports Reporter
Published: May 28, 2010, 12:00am

Kyle Brooks was introduced Tuesday as the new coach of the Mountain View boys basketball program, but the longtime Prairie coach has had a change of heart.

“After going through it, my commitment, my faithfulness to Prairie, my loyalty to Prairie, was more important to me,” Brooks said.

That decision has left Mountain View officials stunned at the timing after moving forward for 48 hours. And as of Thursday night, there was no head coach for either Mountain View nor Prairie’s programs,

Brooks had to resign the Prairie job in order to accept the Mountain View post.

Today, Brooks is scheduled to meet with Prairie principal Jason Perrins and incoming athletic director Travis Drake. Drake stopped short of saying that rehiring Brooks is a sure thing, but he did say that is the “most likely” scenario.

“We are not upset at Kyle. This has been a traumatic experience for the student athletes and the parents,” Drake said. “We just want to make sure everything is in the best interest of the kids.”

Thursday evening was a tough one for Mountain View’s athletic coordinator Adam Mathieson. He had to tell the basketball players at an open gym organized by Brooks earlier in the week that Brooks would not be their next coach.

“I just left an open gym with 60 kids and informed them of the coach’s decision to not to come to Mountain View,” Mathieson said.

Brooks spoke with Mountain View’s principal earlier in the day, then talked to Mathieson after the open gym.

“Coach and I had an opportunity to touch base. It was just not a good fit at this time to come to Mountain View,” Mathieson said.

Confirming a timeline through Mathieson and Drake, The Columbian learned that Brooks was offered the Mountain View job Monday. Brooks called a meeting and told his players at Prairie that he was leaving the program. Drake said Brooks did resign as Prairie’s coach.

On Tuesday at around 11 a.m., Mathieson introduced Brooks to the current players in the Mountain View program. After lunch, Mathieson and Brooks visited Wy’East and Shahala middle schools to talk to incoming freshmen. Mathieson said dozens of middle school players met with Brooks.

Tuesday night, the school board meeting approved the hiring of Brooks as a coach and a teacher, Mathieson said. Brooks did not, however, resign as a teacher at Prairie.

By Wednesday, Brooks was having second thoughts. He called Drake to set up a meeting that night.

“He didn’t feel like he was making the right decision,” Drake said. “He knew he wasn’t going to look good, backing out of Mountain View. He felt the short-term pain was worth it. His heart was still at Prairie High School.”

By Thursday, Brooks called Mountain View to say he would not become the school’s next coach.

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Brooks had also organized the open gym for Thursday night. Mathieson said several of the middle school athletes were there, as well.

Mountain View is looking to replace Mike Cranston, who held the post for 18 years. The Thunder won the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League’s district tournament this winter.

Brooks has led Prairie to six state tournament appearances in the past decade.

“The interview committee will re-convene Friday morning in order to find the best candidate for the head boys basketball job at Mountain View High School,” Mathieson said.

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Columbian High School Sports Reporter