With a résumé that includes six Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League championships, four Class 4A state tournament appearances and having a profound affect on a great number of student-athletes, Girard head volleyball coach Dale Coomes has decided to hang up his whistle.
“A lot of demands at work combined with the increasing demands of coaching ... always trying to improve the program and the level of play ... isn’t allowing me to give the time that it needs,” Coomes said.
Coomes broke the news to his players shortly after their 2-0 win over Paola in the Class 4A state tournament on Saturday.
“We were pretty emotional after the Paola match, with the seniors knowing that it was their last match of their career at Girard,” Coomes said. “We let it all sink in and I told them and it was pretty emotional.”
Coomes said that the increased demands of the job, coupled with his workload as General Manager of Heartland Rural Electric on top of his family all factored into his decision.
“My wife and I have a grandchild and I really lose most of the summer on top of the fall and that was a part of this," Coomes said.
The announcement of his leaving sent some shock waves across the volleyball community.
“It is a huge loss,” said PSU head coach Ibraheem Suberu. “I’ve known Dale for a long time and I can tell you that he is as good as it comes ... it is a huge void.”
Even the coaches within the CNC League recognized Coomes accomplishments.
“He will be missed by all the coaches as I’m sure all of his players,” said Frontenac head coach Cassie Buche. “He is leaving on a very high note, winning the league out right and making a trip to state the past how every many years he has been there four times. I respect him as a person and as a coach and wish him nothing but the best.”
Other coaches also cited his raising of the level of volleyball in southeast Kansas as another factor of why his loss as a coach is significant.
“The respect that Dale has brought to southeast Kansas volleyball ... it will be tough to replace him,” Suberu said. “He has passion for the sport and he enjoys the game and his expertise will be sorely missed.”
As for Coomes, he said that after coaching the Trojans for the past eight years, stepping aside will be a very tough venture.
“I am regretful that I can’t continue to coach because I truly enjoy it,” Coomes said. “The Girard school system is a great place to coach in with the caliber of the kids, the parents and the administration supporting you all the way.”
Add that to the fact of his attachment to current and former players that he has coached over his eight-year tenure.
“You try to get better every year when you coach and you learn things,” Coomes said. “I’d like to think that these last four years were good times for our program and our seniors got to experience all four years of that.”
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140. Follow Morning Sun sports at twitter.com/mssports
GIRARD —
