PREP COACHING NOTES: Timberlake baseball coach Rider steps down

Citing a desire to spend more time with his wife and two sons, Bill Rider has resigned after nine seasons as head coach of the Timberlake High baseball team.

Rider posted an overall record of 111-96-1 as Timberlake coach. He guided the Tigers to state five times, all in the last six seasons. This year's trip to state was Timberlake's fourth straight. Timberlake won or shared the Intermountain League title five times, and captured a pair of district titles.

"Being the head coach takes a lot of time and mental energy and I need more of both of those to give to my family," Rider said. "I have loved being the head coach at Timberlake High School, and I am proud of what the program has become over the past 11 years. I will miss the relationships that I was allowed to build over the years as a baseball coach, but I have all of those that I have built over the past 11 to hold me over."

Rider said he plans to remain as social studies teacher at Timberlake Junior High, and continue as assistant football coach and junior high basketball coach.

"I always appreciated Billy because he is all about his players," Timberlake athletic director Tim Cronnelly said. "He consistently held our kids to high standards on and off the field. It was a tribute to him and the Timberlake program that a group of former players drove from Missoula to Bonners Ferry on a Tuesday night to show support during this year's district championship game."

* Shannon Hall has been named cross country coach at Lakeland High, replacing Mike Normand, who started the program and coached it the last 32 years before opting for retirement.

Hall, a Coeur d'Alene High graduate, was Normand's assistant the past two seasons.

"She will do an outstanding job, and we're excited to have her take over for Mike," Lakeland athletic director Trent Derrick said.

* Stacey Sonder has resigned after one season in his second stint as boys basketball coach at Lakeside High. Sonder coached the Knights to a 13-10 record and a berth at the state 1A Division II tournament in March. He also coached the Lakeside boys from 2002-08, then coached the Knight girls in the 2012-13 and '13-14 seasons. His career record is 104-94.

* Tera Armstrong has resigned after one season as volleyball coach at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy.

The Panthers are also looking for a replacement for cross country coach Lewis Watkins, who announced his resignation last fall.