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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Coeur d’Alene coach won’t return


Coeur d'Alene basketball coach Kent Leiss is counting on his Vikings to play solid defense during the three-day State 5A tournament. 
 (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Coeur d'Alene basketball coach Kent Leiss is counting on his Vikings to play solid defense during the three-day State 5A tournament. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

Kent Leiss, pictured above, will not return as Coeur d'Alene High's boys basketball coach this season.

Click the tab below to read my unedited story for Tuesday's newspaper.

By Greg Lee

gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168

Keint Leiss said Monday he will not return as the Coeur d’Alene High boys basketball coach this season.

He resigned on Feb. 1, two days after a group of disgruntled parents met with administrators to complain about their sons being verbally abused by Leiss and a volunteer assistant.

After thinking about his decision, Leiss asked to rescind his resignation last Wednesday.

Leiss, 49, who was in his 10th season at CdA, met for 30 minutes with school district officials Monday. He was told an investigation would take place and be concluded by March 4, the next scheduled board meeting.

Leiss said he wants an opportunity to clear his name.

“My No. 1 goal wasn’t to get the job back this season; it was to clear my name,” Leiss said. “It’s probably better for my team that I don’t come back. They don’t need me to come in and spoil the apple cart before the (regional) tournament starts Friday.”

CdA was 10-7 overall when Leiss stepped down. The Viks (12-8), who are being coached on an interim basis by former Lake City girls coach Darren Taylor, open the 5A Region I tournament Friday against Lewiston at Lake City.

Leiss’ record at CdA is 140-91. His overall record in 24 seasons is 328-216.



Greg Lee
Greg Lee joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a prep reporter covering Eastern Washington and North Idaho schools.

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