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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend April 5, 2006 Ashland High boys hoops coach, swim coach resign From staff reports Rick Cornelius spent the last four seasons attempting to build a winning boys basketball program at Ashland High. On Tuesday, Cornelius officially passed that torch on to someone else by submitting his resignation as announced by Ashland athletic director Karl Kemper. Cornelius cited the hectic, year-round work schedule as the main issue for his resignation. "I felt it was time for a change," said Cornelius, who will remain on staff as a teacher at Ashland High. "The program had gone to a place where it was really a 12-month-a-year job. I already have a job and I can only work two jobs for so long. "I felt it was time to step back and take a break." Advertisement Also resigning from the Grizzlies’ staff Tuesday was head swim coach Suha Tokman. Tokman, who just completed his first year at the helm, has accepted a full-time swim coach position in his native country of Turkey. "(Tokman) did an outstanding job and has left a permanent mark on our program," Kemper said in a statement released Tuesday. Cornelius has guided the Grizzlies for the past four seasons. The highlight of his tenure came last year, when Ashland beat North Medford in its regular-season finale to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time since 1991. "Coach Cornelius has done a tremendous job overcoming some difficult obstacles to build our program to a respectable level of competitiveness in the tough Southern Oregon Conference," Kemper added. Cornelius compiled a 45-52 overall record and 20-36 mark in the SOC. His oldest son, Josh, starred for the Grizzlies this season as a senior and his younger son, Jake, is a sophomore at Ashland High. "I’d like to have an opportunity to spend more time with my boys," Rick Cornelius said. "That had something to do with my decision." "For the most part, I deeply appreciate the opportunity I was given to coach at Ashland," Cornelius added. "Essentially, I think the program is in better shape now than when I took over. "We have some excellent resources in the community who can step in and do a fine job coaching." Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s