Successful basketball coach Barrett resigns at Auburn Riverside

By Doug Pacey | Tacoma News-Tribune • Published August 07, 2008

Adam Barrett shocked the Auburn Riverside High School girls basketball program Monday evening when he told his players that he was resigning.

"It was a very difficult decision," said Barrett, who coached the Ravens to back-to-back Class 3A state championships in 2007 and 2008. "I’ve got the greatest players, the greatest parents here. I just don’t have the passion for teaching that I do for coaching."

After five years coaching the Ravens, Barrett said he planned to pursue "a few options" in coaching at the AAU or college level.

"I’m going to be a coach," said Barrett, who taught health.

"If I could just coach at Auburn Riverside and get a teacher’s salary, I would do that for the rest of my life."

When Barrett took over the program in 2003, the Ravens had never been to the state basketball tournament. He leaves having led the Ravens to four state tournaments and three trophies.

Barrett said he made the decision to resign last weekend after spending 24 consecutive days on the road traveling for basketball tournaments. He said he realized that he wants to coach year-round, which he can’t do under Washington Interscholastic Activities Association rules that prohibit contact between coaches and players during certain dates in the offseason.

"I can only coach my team for five months a year," he said. "Those are the rules and I support them, but it’s hard."

The Ravens have been one of the premier girls basketball teams in the state the past two seasons. Auburn Riverside capped the 2007-08 season with a 48-40 win over Kennedy in the 3A state final, finishing the season 25-3. In December, the team competed at the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions.

The Ravens ended their two-year run in 3A - they will be 4A in the fall - with a combined record of 52-5 and never lost to a 3A team.

Despite being reclassified in 4A for the upcoming school year, the Ravens are again expected to be one of the top teams in the state. Three starters - including second-team all-state selections Nichole Jackson and Mercedes Wetmore - return. Barrett said this group could be the Ravens’ best team.

"I’m not leaving this team with a bare cupboard," he said.

"I think this program is at the best it’s ever been and that’s how I want to leave.

"I think this team can win a 4A state championship."