Two Post Falls High coaches who have led their programs to state championships in recent years will not return next year.

Jack Foster, who guided the Trojans to the state 5A softball title in 2010, has resigned after 17 seasons.

Gabe Lawson, who guided the Post Falls boys soccer team to the state title in 2012, is taking a leave of absence next season, for medical reasons.

Foster plans to teach one more year before retiring, then he and his wife, Heather plan to move to Kalispell, Mont., to be closer to their daughter, Shawna, and their grandson.

Foster coached Post Falls from 1997-2005, then took a year off to watch Shawna player her senior season of softball in college, then coached the Trojans from 2007-14.

"He's been a rock for that program," Post Falls athletic director Craig Christensen said. "He got us a state championship, which is tough to do, and he got us a state championship with six freshman starters. He's had some tough times in recent years, but he's always been positive, dedicated to the program. He's definitely a nice guy, and we're definitely going to miss him."

Brian Stranger, a longtime youth softball coach and a driving force behind the formation of the Coeur d'Alene Crush more than two decades ago, on Tuesday accepted the Post Falls softball coaching position, pending school board approval.

"A lot of people stepped forward and said he was a heckuva coach," Christensen said of Stranger, who has also been assistant in the Coeur d'Alene High softball program. "He's been successful with the Crush ... if you want to get to that (state championship) level, he's a good fit."

Lawson coached Post Falls the past 11 seasons, and took the Trojans to state in four of the last five seasons, including a consolation title in 2012. His record at Post Falls is 99-86-18, including 69-20-7 over the past five seasons.

But Lawson has been suffering of late from neck and back pain, Christensen said.

"He's a heckuva coach," Christensen said. "That's why I'm hoping with some time off, he'll feel better and get back into it."

John Mueller, a Post Falls assistant and older brother of former Trojans star Timmy Mueller, will be head coach next season.

Also, Briggs Anderson resigned as girls soccer coach after three seasons at Post Falls. Sarah Stevens, a Trojan assistant last season, has been named to replace him.

Anderson guided the Trojans to a 30-18-7 record, including a second-place finish at state in 2012 in the program's first appearance at state. Anderson also led the Trojans to state last year. Christensen said Anderson's plans included returning to school, as well as watching his daughter, Persia, who will be a junior on the Post Falls team this fall.

And Samantha Hammerly resigned as Post Falls swimming coach, after two seasons. The former University of Idaho swimmer plans to return to school, Christensen said. A replacement has yet to be found.

"We hated to lose her; she's done a good job," he said.

* At St. Maries, boys basketball coach John Bisson and volleyball coach Missy Asbury will not be returning.

Asbury, a former Lumberjack star, coached her alma mater for six seasons, compiling an overall record of 131-60. Under Asbury, St. Maries won the state title in 2009 - the program's first state title since the 'Jacks won 10 straight titles from 1984-93. She also led them to second-place finishes at state in 2008 and '10.

Bisson coached St. Maries to a 24-22 record in his two seasons as coach.

* Kootenai is looking for a new volleyball coach, replacing Jessica Hammond, who coached the Warriors the past three seasons.

* Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy assistant volleyball coach Tera Armstrong has been promoted to head coach, replacing Krista Brand, who coached the previous two seasons.

Steve Bourgard will not be returning as boys basketball coach after one season.