THE FRONT ROW WITH MARK NELKE: Thursday, June 16, 2016

Tim Cronnelly will head to work the same way he has the past dozen or so years.

But instead of turning, he’ll keep going — another 11 miles down the road.

“I’ll have to drive by Timberlake on my way to Lakeland — I’m sure I’ll start to pull into the parking lot a time or two out of habit,” said Cronnelly, the longtime Timberlake athletic director, who was recently named to the same position at Lakeland.

Cronnelly was at Timberlake for 13 years, and was athletic director the last 12. During his time there, Timberlake grew into one of the top 3A programs in the state. Still, the opportunity to move full-time into administration at Lakeland (he taught as well as served as AD at Timberlake) was enticing.

“And with my daughter Colleen graduating this year from Timberlake — the last of the crew — it made the timing right as these jobs do not open up very often.”

Only one problem ...

“Nearly 100 percent of my apparel is Timberlake related — I’ll need to liquidate and start over,” Cronnelly joked.

AT LAKELAND, Cronnelly will replace Trent Derrick, who was AD the past six years. Before that, Derrick was the Hawks’ boys basketball coach for 15 seasons. Derrick recenly accepted the job of principal at Lakeland.

“We were very excited to hire Tim,” Derrick said. “Tim and I have worked together for the last several years and I have always been impressed with how he ran the athletic program at Timberlake, as well as him as a person. He works hard, has great experience, and has the right perspective on extracurricular activities. With us hiring a new assistant principal, Jimmy Hoffman (also formerly of Timberlake), and me being in a new position, it was imperative we hire an AD with experience.

He and I had talked about this possibility a few years back and it was something that we thought would be a good fit if the opportunity ever presented itself. He will do an incredible job at Lakeland.”

AT TIMBERLAKE, Cronnelly will be replaced by Jim Simpson, 55. Cronnelly and Simpson are buddies from their days teaching together at Cascade High. Simpson has been at Timberlake the past nine years, including four years as boys basketball coach.

It is Simpson’s first foray into administration. He teaches American government, and will continue to teach two classes in addition to his AD duties.

“I was interested in the AD job because I really wanted to get more involved in all the great things that are happening at Timberlake,” Simpson said. “We have great kids and great coaches and I want to do whatever I can to help them be successful. The fact that I am Tim’s best friend will be helpful in learning the job because I am sure he will help me however he can.”

Prior to coming to Timberlake, Simpson as assistant basketball coach at Borah High in Boise for four years, assistant basketball coach at Kuna for one year and head boys basketball coach at Cascade for 18 years before coming to Timberlake.

At Cascade, Simpson said, the coaches played basketball during the luuch break. Cronnelly’s nickname was “Silk.”

“If you ever saw his jump shot you would understand,” said Simpson, who then turned the needle a little bit. “Of course he couldn’t pass, so he had to develop a good jumper.”

Cronnelly countered:

“It’s not that I couldn’t pass, it’s because I wouldn’t,” he said, “and if you ever saw his (Simpson’s) jumper you’d understand why.”

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.