Wasilla head coach opts to take a break after a Marvel(ous) run with the Warriors

April 13, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - Less than a month after leading the Wasilla High School boys' basketball program to its first state title in school history, Jason Marvel has decided to step down from his position as head coach of the Warriors.

The timing seems perfect for the call to take a step away from the game on the heels of a championship. But in reality, this has not been a rash decision for the Wasilla mentor.

&#8220I made the choice in December,” Marvel said. &#8220regardless of how well we did this year.”

But thanks to the Warriors' win over the Colony Knights in the large-schools state title game last month, Marvel - like the four seniors on his squad - has the opportunity to go out while on top.

&#8220It feels good. It feels like we've taken Wasilla basketball to a new level,” Marvel said. &#8220That's what every coach wants to do, and I think we've done that. I think we've achieved that.”

Marvel said the ability to focus on other priorities in his life - namely his two daughters, ages 7 and 9 - led to his decision to step away from the program.

&#8220It's strictly a choice to be with my family,”

Marvel said.

Wasilla assistant principal Dan Michael was obviously disappointed when the WHS administration learned it was losing one of its most talented coaches, but as a former coach himself, Michael understands where Marvel is coming from.

&#8220Selfishly, I was bummed. I know what a quality guy he is, and I know how hard it is to find quality coaches,” said Michael, who is organizing the committee in charge of finding the replacement for Marvel. &#8220But I know what kind of time Jason puts in. And he has a young family, and is a very dedicated educator.”

Marvel will continue as a teacher in the school's English department.

&#8220He's had a tremendous impact on kids through basketball, and a big impact as a teacher,” Michael said. &#8220The thing about Jason is he is not a one-dimensional person. And this just shows that. There's more to life than just basketball. He's very into being an English teacher, and we're glad he's staying here for that.”

Marvel is leaving the position after six years with the program. In five years as head coach, he led his team to five straight trips to the state tournament, and ended his tenure how he started it, with a spot in the state championship game. The difference is, he and the Warriors finished second to Bartlett during his rookie year in 2003, and the Warriors won it all in 2007.

Marvel also led the Warriors to three Northern Lights Conference titles in five years, and was named the NLC Coach of the Year in March for the second consecutive season.

As head coach, Marvel posted a 101-41 record, leading his team to victory more than 70 percent of the time.

There is one word that describes his run with the Warriors, Marvel said.

&#8220Surreal,” he said. &#8220Especially after this year.”

Marvel said much credit goes to the local community and the Wasilla High administration.

&#8220They've made my time here really enjoyable,” Marvel said.

Marvel, who played collegiately at Chadron State in Nebraska, has coached basketball for about a decade.

He started as an assistant coach at Western Wyoming Community College, and also served as an assistant at Rock Springs High School in Wyoming for two years.

Marvel stressed this move is far from a retirement from the game.

&#8220I'm not done by any means,” Marvel said. &#8220I'm only 32 years old. I love basketball, it's in my blood.”

For now, Marvel wants to concentrate on coaching his daughters. And when he's ready to come back to it, he said, he'll come back.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.