After four seasons at the helm of the Kentlake High football program, coach Mike Shepard stepped down on Dec. 22.
Shepard, who had been an assistant with the program before taking over as coach, compiled a 14-26 overall record with Kentlake.
“I was basically asked to step down. I walked into the meeting and I was completely surprised,” Shepard said.
Kentlake athletic director Bruce Rick said the decision to let Shepard go was one of the most difficult of his professional career.
“That’s probably been the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” said Rick, who coached football at Kent-Meridian from 1989-1998. “I really respect Mike and he’s great for our kids. We had to look at what’s best for the program as a whole. Mike has put in the time and it wasn’t due to a lack of effort.”
Behind Shepard, Kentlake posted consecutive 4-6 records, including 4-4 marks in the South Puget Sound League North Division. The Falcons missed the playoffs in each of the last two years by one game and did not advance to the postseason during Shepard’s tenure.
“If you look at wins and losses, you could say I wasn’t very successful,” Shepard said. “But if you talk about character, discipline and kids graduating on time, I had a flawless record there.”
Shepard took over for Mark Torgerson in 2006. He inherited a team that lost its final nine games of 2005 and had dropped 12 of 14 dating back to 2004.
Kentlake went 2-8 in Shepard’s first year and 4-6 in 2007.
“The morale of the program as a whole was stagnant,” Rick said. “Mediocrity had become accepted. We want to change that.”
Kentlake has not qualified for the state playoffs since 2003, when the Falcons were bumped by Lincoln in the opening round, 30-6.
Shepard, who teaches history, government and psychology at Kentlake, will continue teaching at the school.
“I’m frustrated, angry and a little bit bitter. But I also understand that football is the premier sport in the building and I understand why they’re making the change,” Shepard said. “I hope whoever comes in does a great job. I like these kids and I want them to be successful. A new approach might be just the thing to help the kids move on.
“I’ll get over it.”
