Cory Whitmore led CHS volleyball on three trips to the state tourney. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
It’s the end of a remarkable run.
Cory Whitmore, who posted nine consecutive winning seasons during his time as Coupeville High School varsity volleyball coach, has tendered his resignation.
It follows on the heels of JV volleyball coach Ashley Menges stepping down in November to move to Florida.
While the latest news hits on April Fool’s Day, it’s reality, and not a joke.
“Having held this role for the past ten years it has without a doubt been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Whitmore said.
“The memories made, and the relationships built will last a lifetime.
“I am so proud to have worked with incredible young adults, their parents/guardians, colleagues and community members, and I am so grateful to the support I received as we worked together to make the mission and vision possible.”
Whitmore, who teaches at Oak Harbor High School, was hired to coach Wolf volleyball in 2016 after Breanne Smedley left to accept a job with Columbia River.
Coupeville had won seven matches across the previous two seasons but promptly went 11-6 under its new coach.
Whitmore led the CHS spikers to the state tournament in 2017, their first appearance at the big dance since concluding a four-year run in 2004.
The Wolves made it back to the Yakima SunDome in both 2023 and 2024, with this past fall’s team breaking every record in program history.
In what proved to be Whitmore’s final run as its coach, Coupeville was undefeated until the final day of the season, went 18-2, and earned a fourth-place trophy at the 2B tourney.
That was the first state trophy garnered by a Wolf spiker crew.
“I will always be so proud of all that we accomplished, with our primary emphasis being to guide and develop young people into their best versions, successful on and off the court,” Whitmore said.
“I have given my heart and soul to the program, and even through the challenges, I remained determined to rise up and give more and more to reach the goals we set forth.”
Whitmore and husband Cris Matochi celebrate their union with former Wolf spiker star Valen (Trujillo) Printz, who shot their elopement pics.
Putting himself fully into volleyball has been essential to building success, but it has also left the eternally upbeat coach a bit burnt out.
“There have been areas in life that I have neglected a healthy balance,” Whitmore said. “And while I will deeply miss my role as head coach of the program, I do think that those neglected areas deserve as much of my attention.”
During his time at the helm of the CHS program, Whitmore, a top three-sport athlete back in his days in Ritzville, guided multiple Wolf spikers to awards and All-State appearances.
He also built a strong feeder program with the Wolf Pups program, ensuring prospective volleyball players would have a chance to embrace the game from a young age.
Before coming to Coupeville, Whitmore graduated from Washington State University, where he worked as an assistant volleyball coach at Colfax High School during a time when it won two state titles.
He teaches English at OHHS, and coached C-Team volleyball at that school, along with working with the Whidbey Fury club team before taking over the Wolf program.
Whitmore enjoys the All-State game with Wolf seniors Alita Blouin (2) and Maddie Georges. (Suzan Georges photo)
As he exits the CHS gym (or at least won’t live there on a regular basis), Whitmore looks back with pride.
“It was so difficult to come to this decision because I still have so much love for the current, past and potential future players and their families,” he said.
“I still love volleyball; I still believe in the mission and vision for the program.”
And while he won’t be at the head of the program, he will still be around, Coupeville volleyball’s #1 supporter.
“I think to anyone paying attention, you have come to know my passion for serving the young adults in this incredible community, and my love for building up a program we can share in,” Whitmore said.
“To those close to me and in need, don’t ever hesitate to reach out for support – I don’t plan on moving and will continue to enjoy the chance at helping those in my community.
“There is no way to adequately thank all those that have supported me and the program along the way, but I hold so much gratitude to so many in this community.
“Through my role as coach, I’ve also made life-long friends and I’m incredibly grateful to what this journey has given to me.
“Forever and always, Go Wolves!”
Whitmore’s CHS volleyball coaching record:
2016: 11-6
2017: 13-5 (State)
2018: 11-5
2019: 14-5
2020: 6-3 (Partial season – Covid)
2021: 11-6
2022: 10-6
2023: 12-7 (State)
2024: 18-2 (State – 4th)
Total: 106-45
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