The End Zone

Nearly a month to the day after the Issaquah boys basketball head coaching position was vacated, the program has filled the position.

Issaquah athletic director Michael Bailey announced last Friday that the school has hired Jason Griffith to coach the Eagles. He replaces Jeff Altchech, who stepped down after two seasons.

“I’m super excited,” Griffith said. “I’ll be going into my ninth year at the varsity level. I wanted to make sure that when I took over a program it was going to be a top-notch program.”

Griffith has been the assistant varsity coach at Bellevue High School the last four years and has previously coached at Bothell and Eastlake high schools. He grew up in Bellevue and played at Sammamish High School, where he was selected an All-KingCo Guard during his senior season in 1992. Griffith went on to play at Bellevue Community College before going on to Washington State University to pursue his degree in education.

He currently resides in the Issaquah Highlands with his wife, Dana, and their three young children.

“One of my goals is I want to make this program something the community and the school can be proud of,” Griffith said.

After being hired June 3, Griffith met with his team the very next day to practice.

“I want to hit the floor running,” he said.

Griffith said he doesn’t believe in running a specific system, but coaching around the kids he has. With what will likely be another undersized squad returning from last year’s 6-14 team, he has already started to develop a plan.

“We’re going to spread the floor, we’re going to look to attack and get to the rim, Griffith said. “On defense, we’re going to look to turn up the tempo a little bit.”

Assistant, and C-Team coach, Scott Hall announced he will return. Griffith is currently working on building the rest of his coaching staff.