Lynnwood girls basketball coach Everett Edwards, who helped turn the Royals into a state power, has stepped down after nine seasons with the team.
Edwards, a detective with the Seattle Police Department, took Monday off from work to meet with his players. Edwards informed the team of his decision and his desire to spend more time with his family. He has a daughter Jasmin, who plays basketball at Central Washington; a daughter Jordyn, who is a senior at Lynnwood and has signed to play basketball at Colorado State, and a son, Elijah, who is a junior at Lynnwood.
“I just know that my time is very monopolized between work and family and it’s tough for me to be a coach and not be able to give 1,000 percent,” Edwards said. “That’s the main reason why. It’d be tough to not be able to give it everything.
“I’m going to spend the focus on spending time with my kids. They’re teenagers and they’re getting older and pretty soon they’re not going to want to be hanging out with dear old mom and dad. Family’s very important to me and I truly feel blessed getting to spend some time with them.”
Edwards posted a 163-65 record at Lynnwood, including the school’s first basketball state championship in 2015. Lynnwood has won the past four District 1 titles — two at the 3A level and two when the Royals were a 4A squad — and has won or shared the past six Wesco South championships.
This season Lynnwood was ranked in the top 20 nationally by MaxPreps.com, USA Today and the espnW Power 25.
The Royals are 98-7 the past four seasons, reaching the state tournament in each of those years. Lynnwood placed third in the Class 3A state tournament this season.
Edwards said he expects that success to continue.
“I’m excited that I’m leaving the program at a time of strength,” he said. “They’re going to be a strong team again next season. I hope they continue to succeed. The foundation is set for a good future. Not only do we have a great group returning next year, but there’s a good sophomore class as well. The program is still going to be very competitive.”
The Royals were 12-34 in Edwards’ first two seasons, then reached .500 in his third year. They never lost more than five games in a season from then on.
“It’s incredible,” Lynnwood athletic director Rob McMains said. “He took over the program where we were in the cellar consistently. It’s one thing to take over a program that’s winning and keep it winning, but to take over a program that had no history of winning and turn it into a state champion is incredible.
“It’s been hard along the way. That first year I was green as an athletic director and he was green as a head coach and we didn’t know what we were doing. We were just bumbling our way along. To go from that, to nine years later where we’re at now, it’s impressive.”
McMains said Edwards is loved and respected by the Lynnwood community.
“He’s just a down-to-earth guy. He’s real,” McMains said. “Everybody at Lynnwood knows who he is, whether you’re involved in the basketball program or not. He’s just had a big impact on our school. He’s just so well respected around here. He’s fun to work with. … It’s a big loss for our program and our school. We know we’ll still see him around, but it’s going to be tough to replace him.
“More than anybody else he has the respect of Lynnwood High School and the community. No question.”
Edwards said the aspect of the Royals program he’s most proud of is the atmosphere and closeness that has been built over the past nine seasons.
“Things have improved to where I have a great relationship with my players, parents and administrators at Lynnwood High School. It wasn’t always that way,” Edwards said. “When I started, there were some challenges. But now we have a family atmosphere. Just the memories we have with road trips down to California and Oregon. Just spending time with team and having fun.
“It’s very emotional, in terms of the bonds that you build with the players and, ultimately, missing the time that you’re going to be spending with them day in and day out.”
Another fond memory for Edwards was hoisting the state championship trophy after a 54-42 victory over Cleveland in the 2015 Class 3A state title game.
“That was a very special moment,” he said. “It’s something that not a lot of coaches get a chance to experience. There’s lots of coaches that are able to make it to Tacoma — or whatever venue their championship is in — but not a lot of people get a chance to make it to the championship game and, ultimately, win the championship game. I’ll always feel blessed being able to make it to that championship game with those players and those parents and that community. We’ll always have a lot of pride in being able to come together and win a championship.”
Edwards expressed gratitude to the whole Royals community for its support, including the Lynnwood High School administration, the student section, and, of course, the Royals band. He also praised his assistant coaches, thanking “the best coaching staff in the state of Washington.”
While sad to lose Edwards, McMains said he understands the coach’s decision. The Lynnwood athletic director said the search for Edwards’ successor will begin immediately.
“It’s not like he wanted to give it up,” McMains said. “But between having two daughters who will be playing college basketball and his son being a senior — and he really wants to support him and be there for him, it’s one of those things where there just really wasn’t a way to make it work. It’s a busy time for his family. But what a great problem to have. Two kids playing college basketball and a son getting ready for senior year.”
Edwards plans to spend hit time traveling to see his daughters play, among other things.
“I’m going to be putting some miles on the car and working on my frequent flyer miles,” Edwards said. “And I’ve got to cut my grass. All the things that kind of get put off due to the demands of coaching.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
