Union and Camas hire girls basketball coaches
King’s Way Christian has named Brian Rodriguez as the school’s new head football coach.
“He carries an energy and eagerness in his teaching, coaching, and relationships,” according to Ted Buck, the school’s athletic director.
Rodriguez is a former substitute teacher at King’s Way Christian who most recently has been teaching at Firm Foundation. He also was an assistant coach with Skyview football and track and field.
“He emphasizes students first, athletics second by forming relationships and trying to know their world,” Buck said. “He brings excitement for playing the game and enjoying one another. … Besides the coaching of specific skills for football, Brian also believes in a strong consistent strength training program throughout the year.”
Camas girls basketball
Former Fort Vancouver boys basketball coach Scott Thompson was named the girls basketball coach at Camas last week.
“He is respected as a high-character coach who works extremely hard at building meaningful and lasting relationships with his student-athletes,” said Rory Oster, Camas’ athletic director. “I am confident he will provide the leadership needed to continue the winning tradition the Papermakers have established.”
Camas has reached the Tacoma Dome, the final 12 teams at state, the past two seasons. Thompson, who coached the Fort boys for 10 years before resigning in 2013, has been an active coach in the Camas junior girls program the past two years. He will take over for Scott Preuninger, who resigned following this past season.
Union girls basketball
Gary Mills, a longtime assistant basketball coach for the Union boys and girls programs, has been named the head coach of the girls team.
Mills will take over for Mike Cranston, who resigned following the 2017-18 season which saw Union make it to the Tacoma Dome for the first time in school history.
Mills grew up in Vancouver and played basketball at Evergreen. He returned to his old high school as an assistant coach, then was the head coach for the boys program, leading the Plainmen to two state tournament appearances.
He has been at Union since the school opened in 2007. He is also the boys and girls golf coach at Union.
