Coeur d’Alene boys basketball coach Leiss resigns

By MARK NELKE 

Sports editor 

Citing philosophical differences with the school’s administration, Kent Leiss has resigned as Coeur d’Alene High boys basketball coach after one season in his second stint with the Vikings. 

Leiss, 62, said he resigned last Thursday morning in a meeting with school officials. 

“It was not my first choice,” Leiss said, in an email to The Press. “We could never agree this season on a couple of important issues. 

“In my interview last spring, I laid out a comprehensive plan on how to rebuild the CHS boys basketball program,” Leiss continued. “A big issue I spoke about was gym time in the eight-month offseason. This is an important area that Lake City has a major advantage. I was told by my two (athletic directors) in the past 12 months that this issue would be rectified. It was NOT. We were locked out of CHS from June 27 to Nov. 1. We had to conduct practices at Venture Academy (which has two baskets), private residences and outdoor courts. So far this spring, this issue has not gotten better. Myself, my assistant coaches and some parents have been very vocal about this. CHS admin labeled me as too direct and too difficult to deal with on this matter. I did everything I said I would do at my interview. CHS admin did not come through on their promises. 

“I am the first to admit I am very competitive,” Leiss added. “Am honest and tell the truth. I hold people accountable. All the things leaders are supposed to do. CHS did not like it. I do not apologize.”

“Coach Kent Leiss has resigned from his position as Coeur d’Alene High School boys basketball coach,” Coeur d’Alene High officials said in a statement to The Press. “We are grateful for his contributions and the time he dedicated to our student-athletes. 

We are focused on supporting our student-athletes and the continued strength of our athletic programs. We will begin the process of identifying the next coach soon.” 

This past season, Leiss guided a Coeur d’Alene squad which was mostly inexperienced at the varsity level due to injuries to some potential key returnees to an 8-14 record. 

In an interview following his team’s final game, Leiss expressed optimism for the future, citing improvement by the returning varsity players, as well of those on his sub-varsity level teams. 

“The losers in all of this are the basketball players,” Leiss said. “They have done all we asked this spring to get better. Since this announcement, my coaching staff has received many messages from supportive players, parents and community members.” 

Leiss coached Coeur d’Alene’s boys for nearly 10 seasons (2003-13), going 140-91 when he resigned late in the 2013 season, following allegations by parents of verbal abuse to players. 

He taught one more year at Coeur d’Alene High, then taught 11 years at Sandpoint High, where he was boys basketball coach for four seasons (24-64).  

Leiss retired from teaching following the 2024-25 school year, and lives in Post Falls. 

Leiss, who played at Williston (N.D.) State and Dickinson (N.D.) State, coached for nine seasons at Climax-Fisher High in Minnesota, then coached five seasons at Flathead High in Kalispell before coming to Coeur d’Alene.  

In 29 seasons as a head coach, Leiss has a record of 367-302. 

“As for my next move, I will be traveling, spending time with my family in the Dakotas and starting a player development business,” Leiss said.