Two months after leading Bishop Kelly to a 4A state championship and a 12-0 season, Lee Leslie has resigned his position as head football coach for professional reasons, he said Monday.
Leslie, who spent 27 years as a coach in the high school, college and professional ranks — including two at BK, retired from coaching to focus on family and his position as fitness and wellness director at Scentsy, a national direct sales company based in Meridian.
BK issued a statement Monday that announced Leslie’s resignation and the school’s intent to finish the hiring process for a new coach by March 31, but made no mention of the team’s accomplishments since Leslie took over in 2009.
“We had a model to be perfect, we reached that model this year and I am going to continue the success of that model and take the high road,” Leslie said.
Under Leslie, the Knights went 20-2 with two unbeaten 4A Southern Idaho Conference seasons and two academic state championships. In 2010, the freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams posted a combined record of 29-1.
The Knights also collected several individual honors on his watch: Leslie was named 4A SIC coach of the year in 2009 and 2010; senior, linebacker/fullback Cody McCarthy was named 4A All-Idaho Player of the Year, Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year, Old Spice Player of the Year and 4A SIC defensive player of the year; and senior running back Hunter Griffith was named 4A SIC co-offensive player of the year.
BK athletic director Dean Satterfield said longtime assistant coach Vince Derig has been named interim coach, but had no further comment.
A portion of the school’s statement — available at www.bk.org — reads: “To be clear, we did not ask for his resignation but have accepted his offer. He has communicated to us that he intends to retire from coaching and focus his efforts on his expanding role with a local business enterprise, as well as spending more time with his family. We are appreciative of all the efforts Lee has put into the education and development of our students involved in the Bishop Kelly football program during the past two seasons.”
BK’s next coach will be its fourth in six years. Longtime coach Tim Brennan resigned in 2006 and was replaced by Jack Parker, who led the team for two seasons before resigning after the 2008 season. Leslie was the 11th football coach in BK history.
His son Turner — a 4A All-Idaho first-team offensive lineman — will transfer from BK to Rocky Mountain, closer to the family’s home in Eagle.
Be sure to check out our Varsity Extra pages on Facebook and Twitter (IDS_VarsityX) to keep up with the latest high school sports news.
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Hawkins?
Dan Hawkins to BK?
Took the words right outta
Took the words right outta my mouth...then he can hire Cody as an asst ;-]
Took the words right outta
BITE YOUR TONGUE TWICE
Hawkins??
BITE YOUR TONGUE
Naw, Hawkins is heading to Moscow
When Akey leaves for Pullman, Hawkins is going to step in and take the helm of the Vandals.
It must suck to be a BK football parent.
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Happy Jesus Thing and a Chinese New Year
High Road?
The only person who could put the term "high road" in the same sentence as Lee Leslie is Leslie himself.
It doesn't suck
Bk parents are more interested in their child's education than football. We have just been spoiled because we have always had good teams and coaches.
Education and Athletics
Are you saying that parents who don't send their children to BK are more interested in athletics than education? I could be misunderstanding your comment so I ask to clarify.
Reread
You might want to reread the comment -- BK parents are more interested in academics.
Misunderstanding
No, I am not implying anything. I am just saying that I would rather have a poor football team than compromise academics.
So just the opposite ..........
.......... of BSU .
You believe that academics are more important than football ? I'm surprised that people haven't tried to run you back to California with those radical views . If you insist on maintaining this un-Idaho view on education try and keep it to yourself . shhhhh !
:-)
Bitter much? LOL!
I know what you mean...
That's why I'm happy my son went to Boise High; all the AP courses he was able to take really gave him a leg up on getting into a good college. But he had a good athletic experience too, so I don't know if it has to be an either/or situation; there seem to be a lot of schools that are able to have both strong academics and athletics.
It Doesn't suck
correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Think Its Fair To Say...
...most parents are more concerned with academics than football. However, the important value of sports and extra curricular activities should be recognized.
It doesn't do one a whole lot of good to have a brain full of knowledge if that brain does not also have the experience of group cooperation, individual excellence, and social strength. Extra curriculars are a MUST for our children.
Brennan???
Can we get Brennan back???
Tom Moore
The Prosser legend needs a new challenge and is longing for those Friday Night Lights.
Tom Moore would be perfect
Tom Moore would be perfect for the job. Great suggestion.
Did the whole fam damily
Did the whole fam damily move here?
Tom Moore excellent
I think Tom Moore would be an excellent choice!! BK should contact him asap!!!
Tom Moore
Yes the family moved here after Tom retired to watch their two sons play for BSU. I don't know if Tom would take the job as he has enjoyed going to all the BSU games and this year he would get to watch both of his sons play ball.
Interim coach?
Just askin', but why do you need an "interim coach" in January?
I saw BK play in the championship this year. Leaslie had a well coached team. Whatever his reasons were for leaving, I hope he lands somewhere local. His teams were fun to watch.
Recruiting?
Just kidding.
It's still silly to have coaches leapfrog; they should teach too
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Happy Jesus Thing and a Chinese New Year
Didn't you ever have a coach for a teacher?
Not always the best idea....
Not when they had degrees from Auburn, Univ of Oregon...
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Happy Jesus Thing and a Chinese New Year
Thank you BK!
I am a parent of a BK student and football player who was a multi-year starter. I want people to know this is utlimately a good thing. There are many, many things that happened over the last two years that should have resulted in this guy's dismissal. He did win, but it came with a price. Coach thought he could do whatever he wanted without consequences. I wish him all the best. As a side note, my son and I were very, very sad that Coach Leslie is taking his son out of BK. Guess he was not there for the right reasons. BK is about getting an exeptional education and studying in a faith-based community, not about football. He will me missed by his fellow classmates. Academic excellence is first. Sports are secondary.
Awesome!!!!
Your son was "a multi-year starter"! Wow! Congratulations! Now, how is the fact that he was a starter applicable?
It is Applicable...
...as it shows he and his son know the situation first hand.
I have no comment...just showing how it applies.
Keep working at it
Keep on cogitating and the answer will come to you. It was obvious to me.
Here's how....
Had the person's comments not included the fact that his/her son was a multi-year starter, there would be people like maybe...oh I don't know...YOU...who would have then accused them of sour grapes because their son probably rode the bench. Obviously not the case now, so come on down off that high horse.
My kids aren't in high school yet.
Anyway, I would agree that it would be applicable to mention that is son played on the team but stating that he started is not applicable unless Lee only dealt with the starters.
Scentsy
Wow, this company is rolling big time and the coach decided to join it full time, must be a great time to make some bucks. Good luck to the coach in his new career.
What I heard
I heard the coach was miffed that unlike other Catholic staff members his son was charged tuition, since he and his son are not active in the Catholic church. It wasn't prejudice, just policy.
tuition
I am Catholic, yet I am still charged tuition--albeit a reduction, but I still have to pay.
Are you a staff member?
Are you a staff member?
staff member?
No I am not. However, my wife would like to be a teacher at one of the schools. You can check out their web page and it will break down the tuition for members of a Parish and non-members.
Staff members who are active in the church get free tuition
.....it compensates for making less money than what they could get in the public schools
...
Please don't comment when you don't know what the h*ll you are talking about.
What??
What or whom are you referring to?
that must include you ;-p
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Happy Jesus Thing and a Chinese New Year
Knowing Facts
It's really hard to comment without knowing all the facts but as an outsider it appears evident that BK who will be looking at hiring their fourth head football coach in the last six years has some internal problems? BK has a great tradition both academically and athletically and have a lot going for them, but why have they had so much trouble hiring and keeping a good coach?
It's correct that all the
It's correct that all the facts are not known, but it would be safe to say that BK is really no different than any other high school out there. The fact is that a great majority of parents make it almost unbearable for coaches because the coaches that are worth spit demand discipline. In doing so, occasionally little Johnny is going to get yelled at. Then when little Johnny doesn't "star" on the field, the pathetic parents take it as a personal slight as if they should be ashamed that their child isn't numero uno. The target then becomes the coach, who maybe said a wrong word here or there and maybe doesn't have the same religious belief system as the main group of parents. Again I don't know the details, but I do know how this goes down. What I do know is that Coach Leslie has a knowledge base that far beyond the other coaches in 4A. He obviously is dedicated to his craft and has a passion for the kids. But that isn't good enough for most sad sack parents. Him taking the "high road" is his way of saying "if molding young men and winning the state championship, which is what I was paid solely to do is not enough...then shove it!" It only makes the news here because this program has pride and is a traditional winner.
HAHAHA
I hate to tell you but the students at BK that have gone through the Parochial system are used to the yelling and discipline. It is usually those coming from public schools into BK that struggle. They also struggle with the academic workload as well. Sorry, but BK is truly the only college prep high school in the state. They had ove 85% of their students go on to college.
Hahaha? Was LOL already
Hahaha? Was LOL already taken? I highly doubt the wrath of Coach Leslie or Coach Brennan for that matter is equatable to Sister Mary slapping her ruler on the desk. You've obviously never played or coached, or at least at a high level. Also the 85% of the students going to college has little to do with the academic rigors but more with the clientele of who sends their kids to private schools and their values, expectations and financial ability to fund higher education for their children. People like to throw out fancy numbers in academics and athletics, but the truth is that the other schools probably send the same amount of kids per capita as anyone else and BK would get their rump kicked by the top 5A schools year in and year out, including this year. The parents ought to be thankful they had a coach who is more than qualified and was willing to give of his time even though he wasn't a teacher.
LOL
There is the LOL moniker. Yes I do know what it is like to play at a higher level. I don't quite know what your angst is, but you should probably see somebody for it. Yes, maybe we might get beaten by a 5A team, but what is the point? We would outscore any 5A school on the SAT's, ACT's, and what ever other test that comes along. BTW, per capita, we still send more kids to college than any other school--and mostly through scholarships! Sorry, not trying to be arrogant, just factual.
Not much angst, just
Not much angst, just realistic. I'm guessing that you are unaware of the high numbers of "smarter than you and me" combined students public schools churn out. You probably should quit reading the BK brochure and look at facts. I've met a good portion of BK graduates and they are no where near the intellectual level of many other students I've been around. They do know how to drink a ton though. Kids are kids and you are smart or you aren't. Private schools in fact, while they look good on resumes are often lacking in opportunities that public schools offer and can't afford to get the best teachers, like say a publicly funded Charter school. Public school numbers are skewed by the fact that they take everyone no questions asked, and the majority of those at risk kids are never destined for college. That's why GW's plan to have everyone up to 90% success by this year was so flawed from the beginning. How many low income kids (kids that often don't go to college) go to BK? How many handicapped or learning disabled kids pay to go to BK? How many ESL kids go to BK? When you say you aren't being arrogant... you are. One last fact... the majority of kids I know who couldn't cut it at public schools ended up at BK. What does that say?
Obviously your kid couldn't
Obviously your kid couldn't cut it at BK. BK doesn't take misbehaviors anymore. They don't have to. If your child doesn't perform, they are gone. Besides the kids that go to BK are aware that they are part of a community that is bigger than they are. Not too many self serving students there. Not much bullying goes on there too. Where have all the school shootings and bullying taken plce--yes public schools. Yes, we have ESL and learning/physically disabled kids as well. Now whom is the arrogant one? Check out your local high school parties and tell me those kids don't drink or do drugs. We also don't give up on our students. Maybe those that "can't cut it" at P.S. do well at BK because they are accepted for who they are and not what they are. Any BK kid that switched to go to public school will tell you the expectations and work load are so much easier.
LOL and HAHAHA you're
LOL and HAHAHA you're certainly proving how dignified a scholar BK is producing by making ignorant statements about my children who aren't even old enough to go to BK. Never said that BK isn't accepting or a good school. Just know that numbers don't truly reflect the truth. BTW my kids do go to private school and I'm not sold that it's any better than anywhere else, maybe the jokes on me for paying "college-level" tuition for my kid to complete the 5th grade. Giving out extra work to "increase the work load" in the name of academic rigor means nothing. It's obvious that you are a company man sold on the virtues of BK (which I agree have many) so I'm not going to sway you but... I'm curious... exactly where did you go to college (or are going) and what level of football did you play? You talk a good game lol