Mick Zeller, who coached the Post Falls High School baseball program for 11 years, has resigned to spend more time with his family.

"I had two kids in Little League this year and I was missing a lot of their games," Zeller said. "I'll probably have four in there next year. It got to the point when I'd be on the phone with my wife on a ride back from Lewiston and she'd tell me how one struck out the side on 10 pitches and the other making a spectacular play. They're only young once. I coached my older son this summer and had a blast doing that, so I'll take a couple years off, coach summer league and just be a dad for a while."

Post Falls went 7-12 this season and finished fourth in the 5A Inland Empire League. Zeller led the Trojans to three state 4A tournament appearances, playing for the championship in 2005.

"It was a tough decision," said Zeller of leaving the program. "That's why I waited until the end of June - because I didn't want to make a knee-jerk reaction. I really wanted to weigh all the pros and cons. I think both our JV and varsity teams will be solid next year and our chances to compete will be a little higher. We've got a possibility to sneak into a state berth next year."

Post Falls High athletic director Craig Christensen added the search to replace Zeller is ongoing.

"He's got four young boys and wants to spend time watching them play," Christensen said. "He really enjoys coaching them, but didn't get the chance because of the high school season. He wanted to step down to spend some time with them."

Zeller, who began coaching at Post Falls in 2001, will remain as a P.E. teacher at the school.

"I've been coaching for 23 years," said Zeller, who coached at Emmett High before his time in Post Falls. “That’s why it was a tough decision. It was kind of time. I want to step back and watch things and spend some time with my boys before they don’t need me anymore.”

“When his kids get older, he might want to get back into it,” Christensen said. “He just wanted to spend some time with his family.”

Zeller didn’t rule out a return down the road.

“When I made this decision, I told them I’d like to leave the door open to return later,” Zeller said. “Either as a freshman or assistant varsity coach. I’d like to come back, either as a volunteer or assistant coach. I’m not burnt out. I just want to spend some time with my kids.”