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Fresh off 2A boys hoops title at Irrigon, Jake McElligott hired to coach at 5A Hermiston [The Oregonian, Portland, Ore. :: ](Oregonian (Portland, OR) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 15--Coming off a Class 2A boys basketball championship this winter, Jake McEillgott is trading in Irrigon black and silver for Hermiston purple and gold. McElligott, who led the Irrigon Knights past Oakland in the state title game in Pendleton, will become Class 5A Hermiston's next head coach. He'll take over for Larry Usher, who was the interim coach following the resignation of Adam Strom before the season began. The Hermiston School Board of Directors approved the hiring at its regular monthly meeting Monday. "This is really exciting, and it's a new challenge for me," McElligott said. "I feel like I've prepared for this type of job, and I'm ready for it." McElligott's tenure at Irrigon was one of ascension. When he began in 2009, the Knights went winless in Blue Mountain Conference play and 2-21 overall. Each year, the wins piled up, and the Knights shot up the conference standings like a rocket. The past two seasons, the Knights have gone 46-3, including this season's state championship and a second-place finish in 2013. McElligott's five-year record at Irrigon was 68-53, and 43-31 in conference play. The Knights have lost just one conference game in the past two years, going 30-1 with two straight BMC championships. At the end of this season, McElligott was named the 2A coach of the year. McElligott said it was an emotional moment when he told his Irrigon players Sunday he had accepted the job in Hermiston. "It was one of the most difficult career decisions I've ever had to make because of the great group of kids I had," McElligott said. "Not just because they were good at basketball, but they were all solid character guys. It definitely wasn't easy." But that's not the only Irrigon program McElligott has led to a state title. McElligott coached Irrigon's softball team to a state title in 2009, and then a runner-up finish in 2010. That, among other accomplishments, was what caught the attention of Hermiston athletic director Mike Kay. "We have a belief that a good coach can coach any gender or sport, and Jake has proved he can do that," Kay said. "He can provide a solid foundation for us as part of our program, and we're excited to bring him on." McElligott has been working in the Hermiston School District for a year at the middle school math teacher, and Kay said he would still hold that position. With the return of 2013 2A player of the year Adrian Romero, plus guards Anthony Landeros and Fredy Vera, Irrigon is a big favorite to repeat as 2A champs. McElligott knew that, but he said this was an opportunity he could not shy away from. "You can't pick the timing of something like this," he said. "I didn't start mulling this job over until our season at Irrigon was done, contrary to popular belief, because it wouldn't have been fair to my kids." Assembling a coaching staff is McElligott's top priority, he said. "The resources around the community are great," he said. "We've got to coordinate some open gyms, too. Right now, it's just a process, and we're going to get it where it needs to be." Twitter: @GatesOnSports ___ (c)2014 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) Visit The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) at www.oregonian.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |