Vote now for The News Tribune’s 2025-26 high school boys team coach of the year
Vote now for The News Tribune’s high school boys team coach of the year across all seasons from the 2025-26 school year in the South Sound. Voting will remain open until noon Monday, June 29.
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
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Cody Baskett, Orting football — Baskett and the Cardinals knocked off defending 2A SPSL-champion Franklin Pierce in a 43-42 classic last September and never looked back, claiming an undefeated league title and notching a state quarterfinals appearance. Orting (11-1) piled 11 straight wins (four shutouts), including a 21-7 state win over No. 13 Prosser.
Jody Coleman, Orting wrestling — The director of Orting’s wrestling dynasty guided the program to a fifth-straight 2A state title at Mat Classic XXXVII in Tacoma. Five Cardinals captured individual titles: Nery Rivas (113), Arcadius Cruz (120), Trevor Anderson (126), Dakota Anderson (150), and Michael Fritz (165).
Wyatt Evenson, White River football — Directed the Hornets to the 3A NPSL title, including the program’s first win over crosstown-rival Enumclaw since 2007. White River (10-1) reached the state tournament for the first time since 2014, allowing less than eight points per game.
Chris Feist, Tahoma wrestling — Cemented a wrestling dynasty in Maple Valley with the program’s third-straight Class 4A state title at Mat Classic XXXVII last February. Tahoma beat Orting in a high-profile dual meet in January, 40-22, and boasted three individual state champions: Brycen Dawley (126), Owen Marshall (132), and Isac Deonigi (157).
Chris Fox, Decatur baseball — Coached the Gators to an undefeated 3A NPSL title and fourth-place finish at the Class 3A state tournament last month. Decatur (21-6) tallied wins over state-champion Kentlake (2x), Shorewood, and Snohomish.
William Garrow, Tumwater football — Directed Tumwater (11-2) to its third-straight 2A state championship game appearance and runner-up finish at Husky Stadium in Seattle, rattling off 11 straight wins from September through November. T-Birds rushed for over 4,000 total yards and allowed 14 points per game.
Trevor Hanson, Franklin Pierce football — Led Franklin Pierce (9-3) to the Class 2A quarterfinals for a second-straight season, which began with a statement win over Lincoln, 38-29, on the road last September. Cardinals ran for over 4,400 yards and averaged 46 points per game.
Craig Johnson, Sumner soccer — Coached the Spartans to the state championship game for the first time in program history, finishing runner-up in the Class 4A bracket. Sumner (16-5-1) knocked off No. 1 Stadium in the quarterfinals and beat Newport in the semifinals before falling to Eastmont, 3-1, in the title game.
Jeff Logan, Graham-Kapowsin football — Directed the Eagles to the Class 4A state semifinals and claimed the 4A SPSL South title last fall. Graham-Kapowsin (11-2) took down Class 3A state champion O’Dea in Week 1, the first of eight straight wins.
Dylan Mclauchlin, Sumner baseball — Guided the Spartans to their first state title in program history, blanking Gonzaga Prep in the Class 4A championship game, 7-0, last month. Sumner captured the 4A District 3/4 title before cruising past Moses Lake, Kennedy Catholic, Kamiakin, and G-Prep in the state bracket.
Jeremy McNinch, Orting baseball — Guided the No. 13 Cardinals to a third-place finish at the Class 2A state tournament, picking up wins over No. 4 West Valley, No. 12 Sehome, and No. 11 Selah along the way. Orting (21-8) punched their state ticket with a district win over North Kitsap, 3-2, on May 16.
Dave Miller, Lakes football — Longtime Lancers coach guided Lakes back to the Class 3A state quarterfinals for the first time since 2016. 3A PSL Nisqually champions won eight straight games and took down No. 12 Liberty, 35-34, in the state bracket’s first round.
DJ Mims, Puyallup football — Lifted Puyallup among the state’s elite in his first year at the helm, directing the Vikings to the Class 4A state semifinals last fall. 4A SPSL champions (12-1) beat eventual state-champion Sumner by 36 points on Oct. 4 and picked up wins over Tumwater, Graham-Kapowsin, and Skyline.
Bobby Moorehead, Bellarmine Prep basketball — In just his second year at the helm, Moorehead guided Bellarmine Prep to Class 3A’s third-place trophy at the state tournament last winter. Lions (24-4) beat Tacoma rival and eventual state runner-up Lincoln twice in the regular season, adding wins over Eastside Catholic (2x), Annie Wright, and Bellevue.
Pat Mullen, Emerald Ridge basketball — Guided Emerald Ridge to a fifth-place finish at the Class 4A state tournament inside the Tacoma Dome, marking the best finish in program history. Jaguars (25-8) upset No. 1 Mount Si in the state quarterfinals, 67-62, and rattled off 14 straight regular-season wins between December and February.
Kevin Olson, Puyallup basketball — After a runner-up finish in the Class 4A state tournament last winter, Olson directed the Vikings back to the state quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome. Puyallup (24-9) claimed 4A SPSL and District 3/4 titles, then beat No. 11 Chiawana in the state tournament’s 4A Round of 12 on March 4.
Lyle Overbay, Tumwater baseball — Former big-leaguer led Tumwater to a runner-up finish in the Class 2A state tournament, allowing two total runs across four tournament games. T-Birds (23-6) won 2A Evergreen Conference and 2A District 4 titles.
Ryan Rogers, Lincoln basketball — Guided Lincoln to a second-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome, falling to No. 1 Rainier Beach in the championship game on March 7. Abes claimed 3A PSL and 3A District 3 titles before knocking off No. 2 O’Dea in the state’s regional round.
Joe Ross, Gig Harbor soccer — Coached the Tides to a third-place finish at the Class 3A state tournament, capped by a 2-1 shootout win over Bishop Blanchet. Gig Harbor (17-3-1) blanked crosstown rival Peninsula, 5-0, on March 19, and captured the 3A District 3 title in May.
Keith Ross, Sumner football — The Spartans went “back-to-back” under Ross’ direction, claiming a second-straight Class 4A state title at Husky Stadium in Seattle last December. Sumner avenged an earlier 36-point loss and knocked off No. 1 Puyallup in the state semifinals, 42-35, before taking down No. 1 Lake Stevens in an overtime championship classic. Running back Lance McGee ran for 11 total touchdowns in his final two games of his high school career.
Mike Suguro, Kentlake baseball — Falcons skipper directed Kentlake to its first state title in program history, mounting a last-gasp comeback to stun Eastside Catholic in last month’s championship, 7-6. Kentlake (22-5) won 15 straight games in April and May, adding state wins over Southridge, Gig Harbor, and O’Dea.
Keith Terry, Mount Tahoma football — Guided Mount Tahoma to its first state championship game appearance since 1980, finishing runner-up at Husky Stadium in Seattle last December. T-Birds (13-1) won 13 straight games and the 3A PSL title before falling to O’Dea in the Class 3A championship, piling statement wins over Camas, Lincoln (2x), Lakes, and Eastside Catholic.
