Jason Koski
There's reason for Raymond sports enthusiasts to get excited about the return of Jason Koski to Lady Seagull basketball. Koski is back at the helm after being absent from the head coaching post since 2011.
Koski, who has coached his entire career at Raymond, has about a quarter of a century of coaching experience. He was an assistant junior high football coach for four years and an assistant golf coach for three years in the 1990s. Koski also volunteered as an assistant coach on the girls' varsity team with Coach Jeff Hasu for two seasons from 1993-94 and 1994-95. Koski took over the junior varsity girls' head coaching job during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. When Hasu stepped down at the completion of the '97 season, Koski accepted the head position and coached for 13 straight seasons through 2011.
"I think it is time to re-enter to the coaching ranks because I miss the competitive interaction with the student athletes and the life lessons that as a coach, you get to try to instill," Koski told the Herald. "I also feel that the program needs some strong leadership to regain its competitive position for the future. Also, having young daughters (Kassie, second grade, and Kyndal, fourth grade) didn't hurt for the timing to return."
That's not to say that Koski didn't miss coaching the varsity girls.
"Absolutely I missed it!" Koski said. "You miss the day-to-day interactions with the student-athletes and helping to make an impact in their young lives," Koski confided. "Plus, the competitive nature of the game, and just competing every day to get better was a loss that took a while to get over."
Koski admitted that it was the right decision to step down for a a handful of seasons.
"Yes, I think it was good to step away," Koski said. "I got to look at coaching from a whole different lens...one that didn't have that 'sprint' mode, but rather a 'marathon' thought process. I also got to spend more time watching my boys (Kason, a senior, and Kolin, a sophomore) develop in their own athletic activities."
Fans no doubt remember Koski-coached teams as being fun to watch with the high-octane offense and intense pressure defense formulas. That probably won't change.
"I would like to get back to that work hard, focused, tough, disciplined team at its Core," Koski said. "I really like kids (and) teams that compete like crazy at all times; as (Seahawks Head Coach) Pete Carroll says, 'Win Forever.' "
Koski's coaching philosophy is a sound one. "Treat the sport as you would life. Every day you have to compete to get better. Enjoy the process (season/career) you have chosen to be a part of and make every part of that process (season/career) the best you can make it. Don't take anything for granted, and, if you want success, be willing to work for it and go out and get it."
As many other RHS coaches have, Coach Koski learned from Raymond Coach Doug Makaiwi, who passed away recently. "In reflection upon the passing of 'Mak', I think the greatest thing I took from him as a player of his was 'toughness' in competition, and as a coach, the ability to show 'compassion' to those athletes that we are in care of."
The Lady Seagulls return the nucleus of their team next season; however, the numbers in the lower ranks are not sizeable.
"The varsity team has quite a few returners, but after that, there is not an abundance of players within the program," Koski said. "My first personal goal is to create a culture-environment where kids gravitate towards and 'want' to be a part of what we are offering."
As most determined-to-succeed coaches do, Koski has his team working already.
"Yes, we are busy with summer activities as we speak," Koski said. "We are participating in two tournaments and playing in the Summer League sponsored by GHC (Grays Harbor College) Women's Head Coach Chad Allen. We also will be attending team camp towards the end of June.
"We have been practicing since the start of June," Koski continued. "I really like the open-mindedness of the kids and their ability to accept change. We have been taking it pretty slow ('Slow in my eyes, but maybe not in theirs.'), so as to lay a good fundamental-based foundation, so that when the season starts (mid-November), we won't have to relearn all new habits; they will just need to be continually reinforced."
Koski will once again have his long-time friend with him on the bench. "I do have a JV coach, Butch Betrozoff, Coach B. He has been with me since I started way back with the JVs. He's a great program guy that is so committed to the program and the needs of the kids. He plays the 'good cop' in our program and does a great job with that aspect for our program."
Unofficially, Koski's career record at the helm of RHS girls' basketball is a very respectable 180-129. Twice Koski was voted Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2009 (shared) by his peers. Koski directed the Lady Seagulls to at least a share of three league championships and two State tournament appearances in 1999 (1A) and
2005 (2B).