Randy King is retiring after 42 years as a teacher and coach, the past 29 of those in Coupeville. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Hangin’ out with track stars (l to r) Lauren Bayne, Lauren Grove, and Abby Parker.
UPDATE – 9:30 PM Monday:
School board agenda said “Retirement – Randy King, CHS/CMS Teacher and Coach.”
Latest word from the man himself: “I resigned from teaching, will not be in the classroom next year on a daily basis. Not sure yet about coaching.”
Randy King is bringing an end to a long, successful run as a teacher and coach in Coupeville, and the announcement of his impending retirement got everyone talking.
Now, the Wolf track and field guru, and former boys basketball coach, is having his say.
In his resignation letter he thanked “everyone in the district who has supported me and my family for the last 29 years, beginning with Superintendent Ernie Bartleson, teacher Mark Gale, and Principal Rock White, who brought us here in 1991.
“This has been an incredible experience. No one could possibly expect more support for their teaching, coaching, and family than the King family has received.
“Coupeville has continually worked to provide a caring educational community that has been challenging and innovative.
“The education that our Coupeville students have received has enabled them to go on to be successful in the widest possible array of careers imaginable.
“I have been able to work with amazing teachers, students, athletes, administrators and parents over this career. Thank you everyone for all you have given.”
King followed that up by responding to my (quite possibly) hyperventilating email in his usual calm manner:
Well David, I will be 65 years old this summer!
I’m finishing my 42nd year of teaching high school, 29 years here in Coupeville.
Time to let the young dogs have their say!
First, I’d like to say a big public thank you to my wonderful wife (Laurie), who has been a rock of support and really in a lot of ways made this career possible.
I’ve had a lot of fun working with the students and parents of Coupeville. It has been a great place to teach and coach.
The support that the community has shown to myself and my family has pretty much been like a fairy tale come true!
Not only the community but the staff at our schools have been inspiring to work with from the beginning right up to now!
You can’t imagine how many hours we have spent on those big yellow buses riding safely around the state. Our bus-drivers are some of my heroes!
Hours spent talking with custodians who always left my room with a thought and a sparkle.
Our athletic administration has always helped make this a great place to coach.
Also hats off to all the coaches who assisted me and taught me so much throughout the years.
My students have amazed me with their abilities from the beginning. They can go from Coupeville and be successful anyplace they wish.
The athletes who played ball for me, giving everything they had, and the boys and girls who have worked their tails off in track and field gave me such incredible pride to be associated with, it is hard to describe.
They have given me so much, I hope they were able to feel the pride that I felt in them.
I could say more but us old guys tend to talk too much.
Thanks to you for all you have done to support our student/athletes and my own personal family.
Coach King
Coupeville Sports 