The Centralia College athletic department announced Wednesday evening that former Tenino High School athletic director and men’s basketball assistant coach Joe Chirhart would be promoted to head coach in a Twitter post.
Chirhart, after spending six years leading Tenino’s athletic programs to new heights and coaching the boys hoops team, helped out the CC men’s hoops program this past season as an assistant coach.
The Trailblazers finished 6-22 and 4-10 in NWAC West conference play this past season, their fourth consecutive year with a losing record.
“I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to lead the Centralia College men’s basketball program,” Chirhart said. “It’s a huge honor to coach at this level and it means a great deal to me.
“I’m excited to put together a team that both the college and the community can be proud of and are excited to support. A team that’s going to be competitive in everything we do and represent the college with class, working both on and off the court.”
Chirhart wanted to thank Vice President Robert Cox and Athletic Director Bob Peters for giving him the opportunity, former coaches Jason Moir and Jonathan McMillan for mentoring him this past season, and his friends and family for their support.
Chirhart’s first task as coach will be to help replace a large contingent — over half of last year’s roster — of sophomores that are set to graduate this spring on the recruiting trail.
