Lynnwood coach takes position in New Mexico

Published 11:17 pm Friday, April 11, 2008

Landon Porter is leaving his job as head coach of Lynnwood High School’s boys basketball team.

Porter submitted his resignation Friday. He was Lynnwood’s head coach for eight seasons.

The decision is in the best interest of his family, said Porter, who recently accepted an offer to coach a new basketball program at Atrisco Heritage Academy High School in Albuquerque, N.M.

Porter and his wife, who is from San Antonio, have daughters ages 2 and 3. The move will allow them to be closer to his wife’s side of the family and “find a good place to put some roots down for awhile,” said Porter.

In a letter sent to Lynnwood and Edmonds School District athletic directors, Porter said “it saddens me to make this decision as I have grown to love so many of the players, parents and support people involved” at Lynnwood.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from working with the students and players of Lynnwood High School,” added Porter, who on Friday told players about his decision.

This past season Lynnwood was fifth in the Western Conference South Division with a record of 7-9 (12-13 overall). The Royals’ best season under Porter was 2005-2006, when they qualified for the Class 3A state tournament and went 16-9. It was Lynnwood’s first state-tourney appearance in 20 years.

The coach’s career record at Lynnwood was 60-114.

Porter, 33, graduated from Mercer Island High in 1993. As a senior, he played for Mercer Island’s state-champion basketball team.

Porter played hoops two years at Abilene Christian University in Texas, where he met his wife. Before taking the Lynnwood job, he coached three seasons at a private school in Austin. He grew to like the region’s culture and weather.

Now he’s ready to go back.

“I feel love with the South,” Porter said Friday in a phone interview.