THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: Coaches needed, and coaches hired on the local high school front

Want to help start a high school girls basketball program? 

Coeur du Christ Academy is looking for you. 

The four-year-old school “in the Catholic tradition” in downtown Coeur d’Alene is looking to start a girls basketball program, beginning with the 2026-27 school years. 

Coeur du Christ athletic director Kellen Clemens says he has enough girls in the school to start a team — they just need a coach.  

“Would probably be only JV the first year, if we can get it off the ground,” Clemens said. 

Coeur du Christ is wrapping up its second school year as a full member of the Idaho High School Activities Association. 

The Saints’ volleyball and boys basketball teams played as associate members of the IHSAA for two seasons, then as full members the past two seasons.  

Coeur du Christ started a football program, coached by Clemens, in 2024. The Saints added golf this past spring. 

Mason Trevena, who has been a part of the 208 Volleyball club program “since he could walk,” Clemens said, is the new Coeur du Christ volleyball coach. 

He replaces Natalie Kiefer, who started the program four seasons ago. Kiefer guided the Saints to the state play-in match in 2024, then led them to the state tournament for the first time this past fall. 

GABE LAWSON has coached the Post Falls High boys soccer team for 18 of the last 23 seasons. 

He coached the Trojans from 2003 to 2013, and from 2015 to 2021. And now, he's back for a third stint as Post Falls boys soccer coach.

He’ll replace Caleb Calkins, who coached the Trojans the past two seasons. 

"The (previous) coach decided not to come back, so we opened it up, and to our luck, Gabe decided he wanted to get back into it,” Christensen said. “We're pretty lucky to get him back. I hired him originally when he came here. We had a good laugh ... he keeps coming back, and I keep hiring him.”  

Lawson teaches Spanish and computer classes at Post Falls High.

CASEY CORNETT will be the new Post Falls head volleyball coach, replacing Matt Barkley, who resigned after two seasons in his second stint as coach. He also coached the Trojans from 2016-19. 

Cornett was an assistant under Barkley, and before that, Willow Hanna. 

“She’s got a great volleyball background,” Christensen said. “She’s coached at the college level, she’s coached with Willow, she’s been an assistant for Matt, so she’s been loyal to the program. She’s got kids in the Post Falls school system. ... very knowledgeable ... We're excited about having her on board. Hopefully it’s going to be a good transition.” 

Post Falls is also looking for a head girls soccer coach, as well as a head swimming coach.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.