Durango High School is searching for a new head coach to lead its boys tennis program. The school also is hiring new cheer and cross-country head coaches and has received applications for the positions.
“Our goal is to get a long-term coach who is interested in investing time and effort into the program to help develop high school students into lifelong tennis players who appreciate the game and enter our community with character, perseverance and an appreciation for teamwork,” said Ryan Knorr, district athletics and activities director.
Todd Jolley coached the boys tennis team in 2019 and, after a year in Wyoming, again last season in 2021. Jolley, however, is leaving Durango.
“He was a great organizer and communicator for the team, and he did a whole lot to foster development of the players on and off the court,” Knorr said.
The new coaches must complete CHSAA certifications after hire. Beyond that, Knorr said some qualifications they’re looking for include “a passion for working with young people, willingness to organize and help plan travel logistics, time within their schedule to travel for our away competitions, hold our students to high expectations in and out of competition and ability to communicate with athletes, parents and our community.”
After being screened and interviewed by the school’s committee, applicants must pass a background check.
Ken Flint and Marcia Hoerl are also stepping down at DHS.
Flint led the cross-country teams from 2018-2021.
“He said the time was right for him, and with (his son) Anthony going on to play basketball in college, it was the best step for him and the cross-country team,” Knorr said. “Ken did an amazing job training students and preparing many athletes for the next level of running with his college experience. The boys and girls teams both had multiple top-10 team finishes at state through his time as head coach.
Marcia Hoerl, who coached DHS cheerleaders since 2016, is leaving to become the next principal at Bayfield Middle School. “She revitalized a program in her time and brought legitimacy to their competition routines and is leaving the program in a better place than when she took it on six years ago,” Knorr said.
Because fall sports begin Aug. 8, Knorr said they hope to fill the positions in the next month.
People interested in applying can do so at the Durango 9-R human resources page, https://durango.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx.
