Marysville-Pilchuck football coach resigns

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, March 19, 2002

By Aaron Coe

Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE – Among the many problems facing the Marysville-Pilchuck athletic department is the need to find a new football coach.

Dick Abrams resigned the position two weeks ago after four seasons. He was adamant that the resignation had “nothing to do with” the current investigation of the school’s athletic department.

The main reason, he said, was his desire to watch his son play football. Richard Abrams will be a junior on the Stanwood football team in the fall.

That was not the only reason, however.

Abrams, who teaches psychology at Marysville-Pilchuck, was also the high school psychologist. He said he was “involuntarily” moved to a half-half situation in which he continues to teach at the high school, but serves as an elementary school psychologist. That, he said, makes it difficult to remain in contact with his athletes, which many coaches believe is important to a successful program.

As part of the $3.5 million in reductions made by the district last year, the football program lost one assistant coach, leaving Abrams and four assistants to coach four levels of football teams consisting of as many as 120 students.

“I hope they do some things differently here in the future, but for me it was just not a good situation,” said Abrams, who was 11-25 in four seasons.

Greg Erickson, Marysville-Pilchuck’s athletic director, did not immediately return phone calls from The Herald regarding the opening left by Abrams.

A probe into the school’s athletic department was launched last month after a few parents complained about some sports programs and coaches at a school board meeting.

“That had nothing to do with my situation,” Abrams said, who added that he was “surprised” by investigation, which was ordered by the school board.

“It seems like there’s a lack of support for the coaches here that they need,” Abrams said. “It’s not specific to my situation, but it’s definitely not a good situation.”

Abrams said he expects to continue teaching in the Marysville school district next year. He says he may resume his coaching career at some point, but likely not at Marysville-Pilchuck.

“I definitely want to coach again,” said Abrams, who started the football program at Jackson in 1994 before moving to M-P prior to the 1998 season. “I don’t know where or when it’s going to happen. I feel like I’ve got more coaching in me.”