Mountlake Terrace football coach Alex Barashkoff won’t be returning next season.
Barashkoff, who wrapped up his fourth season with the Hawks, submitted his resignation last week, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
The responsibilities that come with being a head coach were cutting into Barashkoff’s time with his 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.
Barashkoff was undecided on his future plans.
“There is a chance I might try to be an assistant,” he said. “It takes far less time and doesn’t have the requirements of a head coach. I might take a few years off and teach and be a dad.”
Barashkoff soon will be donning a different hat. He plans to coach his son’s basketball team.
The decision to resign wasn’t an easy one for Barashkoff, who discussed it with his wife and some of his peers. His fellow coaches told Barashkoff that he was young enough that he could still come back and be a head coach at some future date.
“You’ve got to do what’s best for your family” is what his friends told him, Barashkoff said.
Barashkoff was the head coach at Ingraham for one year and was an assistant coach at Stanwood prior to coming to Mountlake Terrace.
In his four seasons with the Hawks, Barashkoff compiled an 8-29 overall record.
“We’ve done some good things here,” Barashkoff said. “I think we’ve built a little bit of a foundation.”
Mountlake Terrace has a stronger booster club and is building some pregame traditions, he added. The participation in the offseason weight program has increased.
“Hopefully, someone will be able to carry that on,” Barashkoff said. “Of course, I’d have liked to have completely turned (the program) around. I just don’t have the time to make sure that it does.”
Mountlake Terrace athletic director Kim Stewart said Barashkoff’s departure was a big loss for the school.
“We’re going to miss Alex,” Stewart said. “Alex has done wonders for our football program … he taught our football players that they have to live at a higher standard. What he’s done with those kids in the building from that standpoint has been priceless for us.”
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