Meadowdale High’s girls basketball coach resigns

Published 5:52 pm Thursday, April 24, 2008

LYNNWOOD — Dan Taylor has resigned from his job as Meadowdale High School’s head girls basketball coach.

Taylor, who coached the team three seasons, announced his decision Wednesday. He submitted his resignation to the Edmonds School District on Monday.

This past season (2007-2008) Taylor guided the Mavericks to a fifth-place finish at the Class 3A state tournament and a 24-5 record.

Taylor, 31, also took Meadowdale to state in 2006, when the Mavericks placed eighth in 4A, and 2007 (sixth place in 3A).

His win-loss record at Meadowdale was 73-11. The team won Western Conference South Division championships in Taylor’s first two seasons and placed second in 2007-2008.

“It was a good time at Meadowdale but it’s time for me to move on,” Taylor said Wednesday in a phone interview. “Honestly, it was a recent decision but I know it’s the best decision at this moment in my career.”

He cited a desire to spend more time with family and make a professional change as reasons for his resignation.

“I coached some great athletes, I really did,” Taylor added. “I appreciate the effort that those athletes put forth. I worked with some really neat coaches. We had some fun times on and off the court as a program.”

Taylor, who said he plans to continue teaching physical education and health at Meadowdale, informed players of his decision after classes ended Wednesday.

According to an Edmonds School District statement, Taylor’s former coaching job will be opened to applicants in the next few weeks.

“We are focused on providing the student athletes on this team the support they need to make a transition to a new coach,” Meadowdale principal Dale Cote said in the statement. “Providing the student athletes with a positive experience that contributes to their growth as athletes and young women should be the goal of this and any athletic program.”

The district had investigated concerns related to Taylor’s coaching job, Edmonds School District spokeswoman Debbie Jakala said. Taylor and Jakala declined to comment on the nature of the investigation.

“Prior to Mr. Taylor resigning, the District completed its investigatory interviews, but we had not finalized any employment decisions,” the district said in a statement released Thursday.

Taylor “is remaining as a teacher within the Edmonds School District,” she said.

Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.