Coupeville Sports

   Ryan King, seen here imparting wisdom to Matt Hilborn (80), is stepping down after six years as a Coupeville HS/MS coach. (John Fisken photo)

The Coupeville coaching fraternity took a hit Monday afternoon.

Ryan King, who went from being a starting lineman for the Wolf football squad to working with the players who came after him, is stepping down.

He plans to coach one more season of girls middle school basketball this winter, but officially ended his run with the CHS football squad.

King was a key member of the 2005 Coupeville gridiron team, the most recent to post a winning record.

After speaking to the current football squad, he released the following statement:

I want to thank all of Coupeville for the last six years.

I have been truly blessed to come back and coach and to be around truly wonderful people.

As of today I have decided to step down from all coaching once my girls basketball season is done.

I want to thank all of the coaches I have worked with in all sports, especially Dustin Van Velkinburgh, who had helped me get into coaching.

I also want to thank all the head coaches I have worked with — Jay Silver, Bob Martin, Tony Maggio, Brett Smedley and Jon Atkins — for helping me become a better coach and teaching me a lot.

These last six years coaching football and basketball have been amazing.

I had the opportunity to meet with some wonderful families and be able to give back to the Coupeville that I once played for.

All the athletes I had the chance to coach from football and basketball (both boys and girls), I thank you.

I will truly miss being out there on the field or being on the court with them or even being in the weight room for SST.

I am so proud of you all.

For the last six years, being there as your coach has been the greatest thing I have ever done.

I love you all and know that I may not be there on the sidelines or in the weight room, but I will always be your biggest supporter and your biggest fan.

The door for coaching is never closed. I shall return in the near future, but as of now, I say, thank you, Coupeville.

Go Wolves!