He’s back.
Dean Montzingo, who stepped down from coaching boys basketball at Kentwood High in 2006 after a wildly successful run that included a 2004 state title and four-straight state berths, announced Wednesday afternoon that he is returning.
Just to a different program.
Montzingo, who went 117-24 in five years as the boys basketball coach, will take over the girls program. Kentwood is coming off its first girls state basketball title in school history.
“I missed coaching games,” Montzingo said. “I feel reinvigorated. A lot of what has brought me back is the quality of the program. I’m excited.”
Former coach Keith Hennig announced in late March that he was stepping down from the program to spend more time with his family.
During a six-year run at the helm of the Kentwood team, Hennig posted an impressive 136-25 record, capped by a 28-1 mark and a state title this past March.
Montzingo led Kentwood to four-straight South Puget Sound League North Division titles before stepping down in 2006. Interestingly, the girls team recently won its fourth-straight SPSL North crown.
Montzingo is an ideal fit for the girls program, Kentwood athletic director JoAnne Daughtry said. Montzingo works at Kentwood High and already is familiar with the program.
“It worked out well,” Daughtry said. “I live a good life. It worked out in a number of ways. Dean walks in with instant credibility.”
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