Daghan Kesim has resigned as Glacier Peak High School’s boys soccer coach.
Kesim guided the Grizzlies for one season, an injury-filled spring that began with high expectations but ended with one victory, five losses and three ties in nine division games.
Previously Cascade High’s boys soccer coach for four seasons, Kesim called the Glacier Peak job an exciting new challenge when his hiring was announced last summer. He took over a brand-new Grizzlies program that had no seniors. A barrage of injuries contributed to the team’s disappointing debut season, but other issues led to Kesim’s resignation, Kesim said this week.
“The parents’ involvement was more than I wished,” said Kesim, who described his coaching style as tough and disciplinary. School administrators were supportive, he said, but some parents created an environment he didn’t want to be a part of.
“There are more important things than dealing with parents,” Kesim said. “I was there for the kids and I think I got along with the kids very well.”
Another factor in Kesim’s decision was the ongoing health problems of his 5-year-old son, Kaya, Kesim said. Kesim submitted his resignation letter July 3.
“He was concerned about some personal issues that he had going on and those were more important to him,” Snohomish School District athletic director Mark Albertine said. “He did a good job of working with the kids. He was on top of their academics at all times. Their grades improved.
“His passion for the game is second to none.”
Even though the first-year school had no seniors, Glacier Peak’s boys soccer team was picked to win the Western Conference South Division in The Herald’s 2009 preseason coaches’ poll. But two of the squad’s best players, defender Craig Eberli and forward Shane Miller, suffered season-ending injuries. Class 3A Glacier Peak endured several other key injuries and finished 1-5-3 (eighth place) in the 10-team 4A/3A South.
In four seasons as Cascade’s head coach, Kesim guided the Bruins to 47 victories and three postseason berths, including a third-place finish at the 2007 Class 4A state tournament.
Kesim said he would like to coach boys soccer again. This fall he will begin his third season as head coach of the Lynnwood High girls soccer team.
The search for Glacier Peak’s new boys soccer coach will begin next month, Albertine said.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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