Pegram resigns as Ravens' coach | 3A SPSL girls basketball

Pegram resigns as Ravens’ coach | 3A SPSL girls basketball

Auburn Riverside graduated guided the program last season to its first state-playoff appearance since 2011

By Chris Chancellor • March 29, 2016 5:56 pm

Life events.

Doug Aubert, athletic director at Auburn Riverside, believes that is the reason behind the resignation of Derek Pegram, who stepped down Tuesday after three seasons as the school’s girls basketball coach.

Pegram confirmed his departure in an email.

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make,” he said. “I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with some great players, parents and coaches here at Auburn Riverside High School. Saying goodbye to my returning players is the hardest part of all of this. I will miss the day-to-day (ties) in the season with some of the finest student-athletes and coaches here at AR.”

The Ravens improved in each of Pegram’s three seasons as coach. A 2004 Auburn Riverside graduate, Pegram guided the Ravens to a 55-19 overall record, including 35-9 in league play. Auburn Riverside, which won consecutive South Puget Sound League 3A championships, finished 14-0 in league play last season and qualified for state for the first time since 2011. The Ravens’ season ended Feb. 26 with a 58-48 loss against Edmonds-Woodway in the regional round of the state tournament at Puyallup High School.

“We’ve accomplished some great things in my time as head coach,” said Pegram, noting that the program had a 23-game win streak last season, advanced to the district tournament in each of his three seasons and had 13 all-league selections during his tenure.

Pegram did not detail the reasons behind his departure, but Aubert said he is getting married and is seeking a full-time job. Pegram has been a substitute teacher at Auburn Riverside.

“I think he’s looking to start a career,” Aubert said. “(Coaching is) more of a passion than about putting food on the table.”

Aubert, who taught Pegram in his marketing class and also coached him as a junior varsity basketball player, said he would welcome him back as a coach in the future.

“Derek has been a great addition for us,” he said. “He has really done a terrific job. We would hire him again in a heartbeat. He’s great to work with.”

Pegram said he was grateful for the opportunity to coach at his alma mater.

“First off, I was completely fortunate that Riverside took a chance on a 26-year-old that had no prior varsity coaching experience,” said Pegram, who succeeded Tim Nelson in 2013. “Getting the job allowed me to move back to an area that I grew up in and I was very excited about that.”

Aubert said the search for Pegram’s successor will begin soon with an eye toward finding a coach before offseason workouts begin in June. The Ravens finished with a 23-2 record last season and return most of their roster, including point guard McKenzi Williams, who was the SPSL 3A MVP. Only power forward Kiana Drumheller and guard Ali Thurston graduate.