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| Published March 13, 2004 :: Home |
No Regrets It was the perfect situation for second-guessing. Last summer, Jerry Groenig was over five years removed from his coaching retirement and his long, prosperous career in the Yakima Valley had just been awarded its due — induction into the Washington State Basketball Coaches’ Hall of Fame. Yet there he was, walking into a stiflingly hot gymnasium at Connell High School as the new boys head coach. A 65-year-old man who had once undergone heart and artery surgery. “The first day after I got the job I drove up there to get the kids together for a practice,” Groenig recalled. “It was hot out and like 100 degrees in the gym. But when I put the whistle around my neck and started practice, I knew right then I made the right decision. “I have not regretted it one second.” After 25 seasons and 348 victories while at Davis, West Valley, East Valley and Wapato, Groenig was sure he wouldn’t coach again. His health all but demanded it, his wife strongly suggested it and his business career as a Realtor surely would benefit from it. But when Connell inquired with Groenig last year about helping the school find a replacement for its interim head coach, it wasn’t long before the idea was suggested that he take the job. “I told them if they couldn’t find someone, I’d consider it. Actually I laughed at first,” he said. “I’d only seen one game in five years, but my health was improved and I felt good.” On Friday, Groenig was feeling all sorts of emotions — disappointment, pride and a little melancholy all rolled into one. His Eagles — big on height but short on experience — had come within a point of reaching trophy day in the state tournament. “We’re not an experienced basketball team, that’s been our trouble,” he said after Connell was eliminated by Chelan 50-49. “But these kids ranked right up there with the best group I’ve had. With all the progress they’ve made, I wish I’d had them for couple years more.” Groenig made a two-year commitment to Connell, and while he loses seven seniors, including 6-foot-9 Steven Dorman, four juniors will return. Among them are 6-8 John Conrad and 6-6 Kris Knight. “I must say it’s worked out better than I expected,” he said. “I’ve had great parent support and I can’t emphasize that enough.” How’s this for parent support: Connell parked a fifth-wheeler next to the school shop so Groenig could stay overnight after games or catch an occasional nap before or after his daily commute drives from Yakima. In an ironic twist of timing this week, East Valley’s boys advanced to the 2A championship final and assured themselves of the school’s best finish ever. The previous high came in 1985 when Groenig coached the Red Devils to fourth in the state A tourney in Tacoma. Even with his desire to coach rekindled by Connell’s offer, the Hall of Fame coach still needed approval of someone else. The Hall of Fame coach’s wife. “I wrote everything down on a sheet of paper and on the top were two short statements,” he said. “The first was, ‘I would like to coach basketball again’ and the second was ‘I would like to coach at Connell.’ It took me all day to finally give it to her and she didn’t say anything that night. “The next day she gave me the silent treatment all day and I finally asked if she’d read it,” he continued. “That’s when it was suggested I had rocks in my head.” But eventually Beth, his wife of 42 years and a teacher in the Selah School District, gave her blessing contingent on the doctor’s approval. “I’m more mellow now — wife’s orders,” he said. As his dejected players filtered into the halls of the SunDome on Friday after their season-ending loss, Groenig couldn’t help but get choked up. “These are wonderful kids, and I was proud to be their coach and have this opportunity,” he said softly. “After five years away, I still love this. I’ve always loved to coach.”
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