From Kansas to North Idaho: Williamson named Post Falls High boys basketball coach

By MARK NELKE 

Sports editor 

Some three years ago, visiting North Idaho and spending a week or so in the Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls area for a wedding, Jeff and Jenna Williamson were struck by the beauty of the area, and the friendliness of the people. 

So they kept an eye on openings in the area — specifically at Post Falls High. 

“Their history reminds me of where I went to school and was a player, assistant coach and head coach — Logan High School in West Virginia,” Jeff said. 

And three years later ... 

Jeff Williamson was hired recently as head boys basketball coach and P.E. teacher at Post Falls High. And Jenna was hired as a school psychologist at a couple of Post Falls School District elementary schools. 

“When I saw the job came open, I immediately applied,” said Jeff Williamson, who has nine years of varsity coaching experience at five schools, including the last two seasons at Dodge City (Kan.) High. “Doing my research, there’s a huge basketball history at Post Falls.  

“A combination of the area, and the interaction with the people we met, it was a no-brainer. It was a very attractive job.” 

Williamson, 40, replaces Jayson Ulrich, who left after one season to become assistant women’s basketball coach at North Idaho College, where he works in the intramural department. 

"He’s got a great background,” Post Falls High athletic director Craig Christensen said. “He’s got head-coaching experience at schools that are the same size as us. He’s worked with a couple different college programs; he’s a great fit for us for a P.E. teacher ... it just all came together.” 

Christensen said five applied for the coaching position, and two were interviewed. 

Williamson coached one year at Tamassee-Salem High (since closed) in South Carolina, three years at Woodward (Okla.) High, two years at Garden City (Kan.) High, one year at his alma mater, Logan (W.Va.) High and two years at Dodge City. 

“That was kind of the final thing that checked the box,” Williamson said of all the moving around. “My wife and I, we’d like to retire at Post Falls. We have a 1-year-old daughter, and we’d like to see her graduate from Post Falls High School.” 

Williamson is 115-98 in nine seasons as a head coach. 

Williamson was a four-year varsity player at Logan, and had offers to walk on in college, but opted to pursue coaching. 

“The first thing that caught my eye was the beauty,” Williamson said of North Idaho. “It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. And I’m from West Virginia, and I think West Virginia is a wonder of the world.” 

“What really turned us on was the people,” Jeff said of North Idaho. “Everybody we interacted with, everywhere we went ... hiking, being out in the middle of nowhere, or going to a restaurant, the people were really, really amazing.” 

Post Falls is coming off a 16-8 season, just missing out on the district’s lone berth to state. The Trojans had five seniors on last year’s roster. 

Williamson will be Post Falls’ third head coach in three seasons. 

“We get up and down,” Williamson said of his coaching style. “I try to play a fast-paced game, let our defense be our offense. Create full-court pressure, half-court pressure, try to keep teams off balance ... shoot wide-open 3s and layups off turnovers.” 

Assistant coaches in the program are handling the summer basketball duties while the Williamsons go through the process of relocating to North Idaho. They hope to be moved in by Aug. 1. 

Williamson said he plans to be heavily involved with the feeder programs in Post Falls, from first grade on up. 

“My goal is, as long as the sun is up, and we’re able to, then a gym needs to be open and a ball bouncing,” he said.