Kevin McGranahan, softball guru. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
No fear.
During his nine years at the helm of the Coupeville High School softball program, Kevin McGranahan, and his teams, never backed down from a challenge.
Ever.
The Wolf sluggers won a lot of games, collected some nice hardware, and built a solid reputation for not only excelling on the field, in the classroom, and in the community, but for how they did it.
When McGranahan took over the program in 2016, the Navy veteran was employed at a school playing in the 1A classification.
Midway through his tenure, the Wolves returned to their old stomping grounds in 2B, reflective of the size of the student body, not of the heart displayed by those teenagers.
McGranahan proved to be a master of strategy, and a man who nimbly walked the line between having his team beat its rivals, while never unnecessarily embarrassing inferior, or rebuilding programs.
He used his whole bench whenever possible, made sure that the last girl on the roster saw field time in real game action, and that every Wolf felt valued.
But he also challenged his players, and they grew because of it.
During McGranahan’s time sitting on the bucket at the edge of the dugout, Coupeville challenged bigger schools, and legacy programs whenever possible.
The Wolves always played to win, but the value of a hard-fought non-conference loss against an Onalaska, or a Forks, or a Lynden Christian, was worth its own weight in gold.
Having a heart-to-heart with Jae LeVine. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
So, Coupeville played 3A Oak Harbor, on its field, and beat the Wildcats as Veronica Crownover’s homer sailed high over the fence.
And yes, the big city diamond dandies haven’t played CHS again since that moment — but that’s on them, and not McGranahan, who always was ready for a rematch.
His nine-year run appears to have come to an end with his recent resignation and a planned move across the country so he and wife Justine can be closer to family.
But as he departs, he leaves the Wolf softball program in a really solid position.
Every player from the team that went 14-5 this spring can return next year, but it’s more than that.
McGranahan followed a divisive coach who lasted almost a full season and had no interest in working with the media — literally running away from Jim Waller and myself after one game rather than answer a question.
From day one, the former little league coach turned high school guru brought a different energy to the program, recalling previous highlights like David and Amy King and Jackie Saia.
He’s been open, willing to speak truth, and always accommodating.
One of the best for sending info from the road, and a straight shooter in person, McGranahan is a personal favorite of mine.
Directing traffic on the basepaths. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
On the field, his success is undeniable.
His teams crafted a 111-49 record, with seven consecutive winning seasons after the 2016 team went 9-11.
Having taken the Wolves to the 1A state tourney in 2019 — where they fought valiantly against eventual champ Montesano, thrashed Deer Park, and came within a play of upending Cle Elum — McGranahan and his girls were shafted by the pandemic.
A team primed to make a return run at big dance glory never got to play a game in spring 2020, but the Wolf coach was instrumental in not letting real world disappointment crush his program.
Coupeville stormed back to go 12-0 in a shortened 2021 season which marked the school’s return to 2B and is 56-14 across the last four seasons.
Softball has been one of the most successful Wolf sports programs over the years, first in slow-pitch, then in its current incarnation as a fast-pitch endeavor.
McGranahan built on what was crafted by Randy Dickson, the Kings, Saia, and others, and his successor will be walking into a prime opportunity.
Coupeville softball players take the field expecting to win, prepared to compete, and unwilling to back down from anyone, regardless of the name on the other uniform, or what future D-1 college player may be chucking fastballs from the pitcher’s circle.
As he and Justine depart, we take a moment to hail Kevin McGranahan for what he accomplished, both in terms of the win-loss record, and in terms of building a respected program.
So, let’s swing open the doors to the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, and add him to the pantheon.
After this, while he’ll reside on the other side of the USA, he’ll always be a Wolf, living large up on top of the blog under the Legends tab.
His impact will be remembered and appreciated.
One team, one dream. (Kim Brotemarkle photo)
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