Fall sports coaches by the numbers

It only seems a few years ago that Tim Kiefer took over for his father, Terry, as football coach at Lakeland High.

But Tim is entering his 17th season as Hawks’ coach, after two years as head coach at Timberlake.

That means a Kiefer has been head coach at Lakeland for the past 41 years. Terry was head coach for 25 seasons, and still helps out as an assistant coach.

Between the two of them, they have won 243 games at Lakeland.

Terry Kiefer was the dean of football coaches in North Idaho, going 173-71-2 with two state titles.

After Van Troxel retired in 2015 after 22 seasons at Lake City, Shawn Amos became the current dean of football coaches in North Idaho. He’s another one who seems like he was just named head coach a few years back, but Shawn is entering his 23rd season as Vikings’ coach (with a record of 146-81 and three state titles), after coaching at Kellogg for two seasons.

If you count years coached overall, Roy Albertson at Timberlake would be the dean. He’s entering his 17th season in Spirit Lake but is entering his 27th season overall — counting eight years at Chewelah and two seasons at Dayton (Wash.).

IN VOLLEYBALL, Michelle Garwood is the dean of North Idaho coaches, entering her 22nd season at Timberlake. She started the Tigers’ program in 1998, and has coached in 605 matches.

Next on the list is Brad Veile at Lakeside, who is beginning his 19th season with the Knights. He coached at Lakeside for 15 years, took a few years off, and now is in his fourth season in his second stint in Plummer.

After that ...

Carly Curtis has coached eight years in two stints at Coeur d’Alene (128-102). She is in her second year in her second stint as head coach at her alma mater.

Mike Summers has only been at Lake City for two seasons, but he boasts the best winning percentage (.912; a 62-6 record).

No one else in the Press coverage area has been at their current post for more than three seasons.

IN SOCCER, Chris Renaldo is entering his 21st season as St. Maries boys coach.

We’re not supposed to root, but it sure would be nice to see Renaldo finally get St. Maries to state for the first time, after all he’s done for the Lumberjacks program.

Next up is Gabe Lawson, in his second stint at Post Falls. He’s entering his 16th season overall with the Trojans, with an overall record of 126-119-24.

On the girls side, Mario Maddy is the dean of North Idaho coaches, in his 24th season at Lakeland. Entering the season, he has coached in 336 matches with the Hawks.

He’s followed by Matt Ruchti, entering his 17th season at Lake City — another coach who it seems just took over a few years ago. He’s coached in 304 matches with the Timberwolves.

Ruchti has coached in more tie games (54) than three of the other current coaches have wins.

Then there’s Steve Michael, beginning his 12 season as Timberlake girls coach. But he’s the only one coaching the boys AND girls teams at his school — he’s in his second season coaching the Tiger boys.

Stacy Smith has only been head girls coach at Coeur d’Alene Charter coach for three seasons, but oh, what a three seasons those have been.

With Smith as coach, Charter has gone 54-3-2, with three state titles in three seasons.

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.