KENNEWICK, Wash. -- Kamiakin High School announced Tammy Hutchison's replacements Tuesday, hiring a new girls basketball and softball coaches.
Hutchison, who resigned the two positions in early July, is now the assistant principal at Horse Heaven Hills Middle School.
On Tuesday, the school hired former Columbia Basin College men's coach Lane Schumacher to head up the girls basketball program and Tim Bisson to be the softball coach.
"I knew what a quality school it was, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to get back into coaching," Schumacher said. "I played for my dad at Kamiakin, my brother still teaches there, and I finished my principal internship there."
Schumacher is the son of Don Schumacher, who retired as Kamiakin's athletic director last spring and coached the boys basketball team for 21 seasons. Don was inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in July.
Lane Schumacher takes over a girls program that has been to state in consecutive seasons, including a 23-0 start last season before going two-and-out at the state tournament.
"They've had a great run, a great program," Schumacher said. "Hopefully we can maintain the success they've had and keep getting the quality kids. They've had a fabulous program."
Bisson was the head softball coach at Kiona-Benton High before becoming the assistant coach at Kamiakin the last three seasons.
Hutchison wrapped up her coaching career after spending 10 years as the head coach for softball and nine years for basketball.
"It was very tough," Hutchison said of the decision. "I brought in the girls, and it was very emotional. One of the biggest reasons it was so hard is because they are fabulous people. Sports and coaching has been my whole life."
Hutchison served as an interim principal at Horse Heaven Hills in 2010-11, and when the job opened up this summer she felt she couldn't pass it up.
She went out on a high note, winning the state softball title in May and wrapping up a perfect season in the process.
"I love the girls. I invested a lot of time and have great memories," she said. "I'll be at the basketball and softball games because I still want to see those girls play. I want to see them continuing to be successful, as I know they will be."
* Craig Craker: 509-582-1509; ccraker@tricityherald.com
