Andres resigns as hoops coach

Staff report

SALEM

Salem High athletic director Greg Steffey is looking for two new head basketball coaches.

Will Klucinec, the Quakers’ boys coach for four seasons, was recently informed that his contract would not be renewed for the 2010-11 season.

Last week, Jeff Andres, the Salem girls coach for four seasons, submitted his resignation.

Andres said the decision was his.

“I have small children and it’s time for me to focus on them,” Andres said. “Coaching is very time-consuming and it’s time you can’t get back.”

Andres took over the girls program in 2006, leading the Quakers to a 15-6 record and a 10-4 record in the Metro Athletic Conference. That third-place finish was followed by an early ouster in the Division II tournament.

As sophomore, Amy Scullion blossomed, the Quakers, who were state semifinalists in 2004, became district contenders again in the 2007-08 season. Salem advanced to the Div. II district final where a loaded Canfield team defeated them in the final.

In 2008-09, the Quakers joined the All-American Conference and chose to play up in the Red Tier against the league’s biggest schools. The Quakers and Cardinals again met in the district final, with Canfield advancing to the Barberton regional.

This season, Andres guided the Quakers to a third-place finish in the Red Tier as Canfield and Howland tied for first. The Quakers, led by Ohio State recruit Scullion, again advanced to the district final, this time falling to Struthers, 59-54.

Asked if he’d like to coach again, Andres replied, “No doubt about it. I’d love to get into it again someday.”