SEATTLE – By the time Jerry Koester moved from Idaho to Washington in 1986, he was already quite an accomplished high school boys basketball coach.
It didn’t take Koester long to identify the main competition in his new state. He arrived at Redmond High School and quickly struck up an enduring rivalry with two legendary peers: Ed Pepple (Mercer Island) and Al Hairston (Garfield). The three renowned coaches eventually combined to win 11 state championships, often upending each other along the way in memorable clashes.
Back then, the competition was intense. But on Wednesday night the trio relaxed and reflected on their remarkable achievements during the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association (WIBCA) Hall of Fame banquet in the Gwinn Commons at Seattle Pacific University. Koester, who was head coach at Cascade for eight seasons and an assistant the past three, Pepple and Hairston became the hall’s 84th, 85th, and 86th inductees.
“I can’t think of two people that I’m more honored to be inducted into the hall of fame (with),” said Koester, 59, of Arlington.
Koester grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and began his coaching career in his home state before coming to Washington, where he won two state titles at Redmond (‘88 and ‘89). In the latter season, his Mustangs beat Hairston’s Garfield squad 59-50 in the championship game. But two years later, Hairston’s Bulldogs upended Redmond for the title.
The banquet, Koester said, was special because it gave him a chance to formally show appreciation and respect for Hairston and Pepple, the state’s all-time winningest coach with 898 victories in 48 seasons, including three at Meadowdale.
Pepple, 73, still coaches Mercer Island and plans to return for a 39th season. He played hoops one season for Everett Community College and three for the University of Utah.
Hairston, 60, spent most of his childhood in Detroit and played for the Seattle SuperSonics. Today he is athletic director for Seattle Public Schools.
Several friends and former players spoke in support of the three highly decorated coaches. Redmond graduates Scott Roberts (‘88) and Jeff Potter (‘91) praised Koester, who guided the school to seven state-tournament appearances and four district titles.
“I’m proud to still call him my coach and even more proud to call him my friend,” Roberts said.
Potter said Koester’s teachings helped him become a four-year starter at Oregon. Koester taught athletes to play with urgency and he created a sense of family, Potter said: “It’s an honor to say now that I’ve played for a hall of fame coach.”
Koester and his wife, Karen Koester, both recently retired. She was principal at View Ridge Elementary of the Everett School District.
Four more coaches will be inducted into WIBCA’s Hall of Fame Aug. 10 in Longview. They are:
* Butch Blue (405 victories in 26 seasons at Battleground);
* Ron Brown (604 victories in 45 seasons at Centralia);
* Dave Denny (396 victories in 25 seasons at Kentridge, Auburn, Montesano and Mark Morris);
* Earl “Punky” Omeg (324 victories in 26 seasons at Yelm, Kittitas, Onalaska and Rochester.
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