Ken Stange – the man, the myth, the legend. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
The most unique coach in Coupeville High School history is headed to the exit.
I’ve seen ’em come and seen ’em go, and I’m here to tell you there’s only ever been one Ken Stange.
Across 32 seasons of tennis — 17 with the Wolf girls and 15 with the boys — through a pandemic and a brutal back injury, he was smart, funny, sarcastic, caring, and deeply, deeply committed to his programs.
Stange, who announced Friday he will retire at the end of this season, started his run in Cow Town as a CHS teacher and finishes as the owner of Bailey’s Corner Store.
He’s still kickin’ fanny on the court and making sure the best adult players on Whidbey and beyond know exactly who beat them, and he’s still imparting wisdom to teenagers (and looking for the best pizza on road trips).
Along the way, Stange has won 17 league titles, guided multiple players to appearances at the state tourney, and been one of the most entertaining interviews in the biz.
His match recaps back in the day, tapped out while bouncing in a bus or bobbing on a ferry, are the stuff of legends.
There’s what I could print, and what I read, laughed, and filed away to share with my mentor, longtime Whidbey News-Times Sports Editor Jim Waller.
Are you not entertained? Always with Stange.
It’s going to be odd to not see him at the CHS courts, movin’ and groovin’ to his own rhythm, but I’m grateful for the ride.
A proud teacher and coach celebrates the graduation of Wolf netter Brandon Kelley. (Shawna Kelley photo)
Stange’s resignation letter to Coupeville High School Athletic Director Willie Smith:
With a heavy heart, I’m formally resigning from my CHS tennis coaching duties, effective at the end conclusion of the 2023 girls’ tennis season.
Over the course of 18 years, I’ve coached 32 seasons of tennis, 17 with the girls and 15 with the boys.
I’m proud of the program we built at CHS.
When I showed up on the scene, almost every varsity player from the year before was gone.
Within a few years, student interest in tennis rose, and success followed.
During my time, we won 17 league titles, five with the boys and 12 with the girls.
Also during that time, we qualified players for state five times, with hopefully a sixth trip to state this spring.
Part of the credit for the success I had as coach goes to quality athletic directors, like Ron Bagby, who first hired me, and you.
For most of my 18 years as coach, you have been my AD. Thank you, Willie!
Thank you for your attention to my teams over the years.
The special requests for scheduling to accommodate the competitive players I’ve had and your ability to work around my own work schedule once I stopped teaching come to mind as great examples of how you served me and my teams well.
Your willingness to be flexible and to allow me input has been a big driver of the team’s success over the years.
I’ve been pondering this decision each year since 2018, and in each year since then, something seemed to call me back.
I’m not feeling that call anymore.
Then, when I found out you may not be AD after this school years ends, that sealed the deal for me.
The ins and outs of your job are many.
I remember when you stopped being AD the first time, when Sheldon Rosenkrance was principal.
Sheldon allowed me to shoulder many of the AD duties related to tennis. It was overwhelming.
It’s a massive job that requires more time than anyone realizes.
I fear the district’s athletic programs will suffer without you as athletic director.
Again, Willie, thank you.
We have not always seen eye to eye, but most of the time, we’ve been on the same page.
I appreciate that even when we didn’t see eye to eye, you had the respect to look at me and tell me why you disagreed.
Sometimes your call stood, while other times you let me change your mind.
It’s made for a great professional relationship that’s benefited many kids over the years.
I’ve gotten so much enjoyment from tennis and the kids who played.
I will miss it greatly, but hope someone comes along with the same energy for the tennis program that I had when I took over the program in the fall of 2005.
Now, to focus on our last match, districts, and state!
Sincerely,
Ken Stange
CHS tennis coach, 2005-2023
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