1/25/17

(Centralia, WA) Centralia High School Athletic Director Scott Chamberlain announced this morning that the Tiger Head Football Coach Matt Whitmire has resigned. No reason was stated in the press release which is posted in its entirety below. ESN talked with Chamberlain who says Coach Whitmire will stay on as a CHS counselor but thought it was time for someone else to have a shot at turning around the program.

Although the Tigers never reached the success Whitmire had hoped for he certainly stabilized the program after the Tigers suffered their 1st winless season in 2012. Under Whitmire they posted a 13-23 record with 1 winning season at 5-4 in 2014. In 2013 they finished 2-7 and the past 2 years 3-6. However, the Tigers competed hard under Whitmire but could never get over the hump. No doubt not being able to defeat crosstown rival WF West was one of the disappointments but as Whitmire leaves the program is certainly better off than when he took over.

Chamberlain says they are at least a couple weeks away from posting the job. One of the first things he wants to do is take inventory of possible teaching jobs that will be available for next year. Chamberlain says being able to offer a teaching job makes the coaching job a lot more attractive to potential candidates from all over the state. Chamberlain says if there are no teaching jobs available then he would likely post this quicker as the likely pool of candidates will have to be someone close by and does not need a teaching job.

Chamberlain says he has not been approached by anyone in the building or on the coaching staff as interested in the position but says that doesn’t mean there aren’t potential candidates still thinking it over. Chamberlain says head coaching these days is a huge commitment of personal time and energy and it is usually not a decision that is made without careful consideration of all the candidates. Chamberlain does hope to have the new coach in place well before the Spring practices in June.

Centralia Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 25, 2017

Matt Whitmire resigns as Centralia Tiger Head Football Coach

Coach Whitmire, Head Football Coach for the past 4 years, resigns.

CENTRALIA, WA – Coach Matt Whitmire, Head Football coach at Centralia High School, resigned his position after 4 years of leading the Tiger Football program.  Mr. Whitmire will remain on the Centralia High School staff in his current position of School Counselor.

The search for a Head Football Coach for the 2017 Season will begin immediately.  The Centralia School District’s personnel procedures will begin after board approval of Coach Whitmire’s resignation.

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