Coaching changes, other updates across WA high school sports

This collection of stories highlights significant changes and updates across Washington high school sports, focusing on coaching changes, WIAA news, and athletic program updates.

The WIAA disciplined the Roosevelt High School football program after investigating recruiting violations, imposing fines and suspensions. Stadium High School appointed Jordan Barnes as the new boys basketball coach, following his recovery from a health condition and experience in other South Sound schools. Tacoma Public Schools introduced a "pay to participate" fee to address budget deficits, raising concerns about the impact on student participation in athletics. Lastly, Dominic Batten transitioned from Stadium High to Mount Tahoma as the new boys basketball coach.

Former Stadium coach Dominic Batten is the new boys basketball coach at Mount Tahoma High School ahead of the 2025-26 season. By Mount Tahoma athletics

NO. 1: MOUNT TAHOMA HIRES STADIUM’S BATTEN AS NEW BOYS BASKETBALL COACH

“I think there’s a sense of pride here at Mount Tahoma,” Batten said. “We’re gonna be competitive. Don’t count Mount T out.” | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

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Some of the lights at Parker Faller Field in Yakima during Puyallup’s 4A state semifinal game against Lake Washington were not working on Friday, May, 30, 2025, causing officials and the WIAA to move the remainder of the game to 10 a.m. Saturday. By Jon Manley

NO. 2: ‘MESSING WITH A MEMORY.’ BAD VIBES LINGER AFTER CANCELED WA STATE BASEBALL GAMES

WIAA executive director Mick Hoffman chimes in on last month’s controversy at the 3A, 4A state baseball championships in Yakima. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

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The Washington (WIAA) state high school football championship games held at Husky Stadium on Dec. 6 and 7, 2024. By JON MANLEY

NO. 3: WIAA BRINGS THE HAMMER DOWN ON ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PROGRAM

Accusations of recruiting have been swirling around Seattle’s Roosevelt High School football program, after an influx of transfers paved the way for a Class 3A state tournament semifinal appearance for the Roughriders in the 2024 season. | Published June 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Puyallup head coach Marc Wiese walks off the field after a meeting at the mound during the baseball game at Curtis Senior High School, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in University Place, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: LONGTIME PUYALLUP HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL COACH MARC WIESE RETIRING

Wiese won a pair of state championships at Puyallup and built the program into a perennial state tournament contender. | Published June 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Yelm coach Jordan Barnes announced Monday that he has accepted the head coaching job at Lakes High School in Pierce County. By Steve Bloom

NO. 5: STADIUM HIGH’S NEW BASKETBALL COACH HAS PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE AROUND SOUTH SOUND

“The players are hungry, want to win, have that chip on their shoulder,” Barnes said. | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Lincoln’s Messiah Ellick (7) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half of the game against Bellarmine Prep at Lincoln High School, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 6: PLAY BALL — FOR A PRICE. NEW ATHLETICS FEE COMING TO TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Athletic directors and coaches understand the district’s budget situation but also have some concerns about the new pay structure. | Published July 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.