Jim Preston was looking for a change of scenery in his teaching career. Once he found that, he realized he was going to have to give up something else.
Preston resigned after three seasons as the Sterling boys varsity basketball coach, after requesting and being granted a teaching transfer to Challand Middle School.
“I believe it’s best for me to focus my energies on the new teaching assignment, and stop coaching at the high school,” Preston said. “The teaching end comes first, but not coaching anymore was the toughest part of the decision.”
Preston, a social studies teacher, amassed a 30-51 record, including 12-20 in NB-12 West play over the past 3 years. He has been part of the Sterling basketball program for nearly 20 years, coaching at the freshman and sophomore levels before his latest varsity gig.
The position has already been posted, and athletic director Greg King said the process of finding Preston’s replacement as begun.
But he also said that there will be a big hole to fill in the Sterling basketball program.
“It’s hard to lose a guy like that, with all the wealth of basketball knowledge that he had,” King said. “He’ll definitely be missed, but I also understand where he’s coming from, and how he wants to do some different things.”
Preston said he “won’t drop off the face of the earth,” and will continue to follow the Warriors as a fan. He also had a list of people he wished to thank for his coaching opportunity.
“I’m grateful to the administration of Sterling High School and Sterling Public Schools, as well as the Sterling Board of Education for giving me this chance,” Preston said. “I also appreciate everything Greg King has done, as well as the coaches I’ve had the good fortune to work with, and the parents and fans who have supported us. And a special thanks goes out to all the young men I had the privilege to coach.
“This has been a great opportunity to grow personally and professionally, and I am truly thankful for it. This has had such a positive impact on my life and career, and I wish all the best to Sterling basketball in the future. I’ll always be one of the Golden Warriors’ biggest fans.”
By the numbers
Sterling under Jim Preston
2012-13: 11-18 (4-6 NIB-12 West)
2013-14: 10-15 (5-5 NIB-12 West)
2014-15: 9-18 (3-9 NIB-12 West)