ESCANABA---Escanaba High School is looking for two new varsity head coaches.
Girls basketball coach Kelly O'Connell and girls volleyball coach Bron Harmon both resigned on Tuesday, according to EHS Athletic Director Dave Wilson.
O'Connell has spent 27 years coaching in the Escanaba Schools. Sixteen of them were at the junior high level, four years as the boys junior varsity coach, and the last seven seasons as the girls varsity head coach.
O'Connell says the decision to step down was very difficult.
"It's time," O'Connell said on Tuesday during an interview at his T&T True Value hardware store. "We have a lot of talent coming up, and let's face it, I did not get it done in the wins/losses column. But I sure gave it my all."
The Eskymos were 4-17 this season, losing to Kingsford in the districts last month.
"I've had a great relationship with my players," O'Connell said. "I'm really gonna miss the girls. I still have a lot of energy left, but it's time for a new direction."
Wilson says that he appreciated everything that O'Connell tried to accomplish.
"He put everything he had into that program," Wilson said. "There was a lot of hard work in the off-season, organizing team camps and open gyms in the summer."
Meanwhile, Harmon is stepping down after ten years in the Eskymo volleyball program, the last five years as the varsity head coach.
She had also worked for three years as the freshman coach and two years with the junior varsity program.
Harmon is leaving with her husband, Scott, who is taking a position at the Frankenmuth United Methodist Church in downstate Frankenmuth.
"We're going to a really good place," Bron Harmon said. "This church is twice the size of our church here in Escanaba."
She says that she is going to take a step back from coaching for a while.
"I need a break," Harmon said, but then added, "I've loved my time as an Eskymo. I have been supported by administration, and have had some absolutely wonderful kids. I will miss it."
Said Wilson: "Bron has a huge love of the game of volleyball. She had a really good relationship with the girls."
The Eskymo volleyball team had a 7-21-4 match record this season, or 28-64 in games won and lost. The Eskymos lost to Gladstone in the districts last November.
Wilson says that both coaching positions will be posted internally after Spring Break, which begins this Friday.
"As Athletic Director of the Escanaba High School, it has been a great pleasure to work with Bron and Kelly over the years," Wilson said. "The Escanaba High School would like to thank both Bron and Kelly for their time, effort, and dedication to the kids in both their respective programs. Both will be missed."
Girls basketball coach Kelly O'Connell and girls volleyball coach Bron Harmon both resigned on Tuesday, according to EHS Athletic Director Dave Wilson.
O'Connell has spent 27 years coaching in the Escanaba Schools. Sixteen of them were at the junior high level, four years as the boys junior varsity coach, and the last seven seasons as the girls varsity head coach.
O'Connell says the decision to step down was very difficult.
Kelly O'Connell talks during a time-out.
The Eskymos were 4-17 this season, losing to Kingsford in the districts last month.
"I've had a great relationship with my players," O'Connell said. "I'm really gonna miss the girls. I still have a lot of energy left, but it's time for a new direction."
Wilson says that he appreciated everything that O'Connell tried to accomplish.
"He put everything he had into that program," Wilson said. "There was a lot of hard work in the off-season, organizing team camps and open gyms in the summer."
Meanwhile, Harmon is stepping down after ten years in the Eskymo volleyball program, the last five years as the varsity head coach.
She had also worked for three years as the freshman coach and two years with the junior varsity program.
Bron Harmon showing her usual intensity.
"We're going to a really good place," Bron Harmon said. "This church is twice the size of our church here in Escanaba."
She says that she is going to take a step back from coaching for a while.
"I need a break," Harmon said, but then added, "I've loved my time as an Eskymo. I have been supported by administration, and have had some absolutely wonderful kids. I will miss it."
Said Wilson: "Bron has a huge love of the game of volleyball. She had a really good relationship with the girls."
The Eskymo volleyball team had a 7-21-4 match record this season, or 28-64 in games won and lost. The Eskymos lost to Gladstone in the districts last November.
Wilson says that both coaching positions will be posted internally after Spring Break, which begins this Friday.
"As Athletic Director of the Escanaba High School, it has been a great pleasure to work with Bron and Kelly over the years," Wilson said. "The Escanaba High School would like to thank both Bron and Kelly for their time, effort, and dedication to the kids in both their respective programs. Both will be missed."
