Prep Sports Blog

I’m still working on this story, but here are some details on changes to the Hazen, Lindbergh and Renton teams:

• Head coaches and dive coaches for all three high schools will not have their contracts renewed (coaching contracts are year-to-year).
• The Renton and Lindbergh teams will be “consolidated.”
• Renton and Lindbergh will both practice at the Lindbergh pool next year (unless the pool is closed by then).
• The teams will practice at different times and compete in meets as different teams, but they will both be coached by the same head coach and dive coach – meaning at least one pair of the current swim/dive coaches will not be rehired.

There are obviously still a ton of moving parts to this story – especially if the Lindbergh pool isn’t saved.
One of the first questions that popped into my head is why the Hazen coaches weren’t renewed if the consolidation is just for Renton and Lindbergh.
Renton School District spokesman Randy Matheson’s response: “It’s more fair to just have all the coaches for both swim and dive apply for these two positions. That gives the best applicant a chance to come back in and get a program fresh.”
I haven’t talked to Diane Pavelin (Renton) or Diane Dobson (Hazen) by phone yet, but Roger Miron (Lindbergh) said he wasn’t sure about whether he’s reapply or not, since there are so many things up in the air.
The coaches found out about this news on Saturday via letter from the district.
I’ll keep updating the blog as the story progresses.