John Marquez is back as the head football coach at Kenai Central High School.
Marquez originally took over the Kardinals in 2011, leading the squad to a small-schools state title. Marquez missed the playoffs in 2012 before stepping aside in favor of Jim Dawson last season.
The other head coaching change at Kenai Central is head hockey coach Pete Iverson stepping down. Iverson, formerly the head coach at Skyview High School, came to Kenai in 2008. At the end of the 2013-14 school year, the position had not been filled.
Cook Inlet Academy also has a big change in one of its major sports, where Rustin Hitchcock is leaving as girls basketball coach. No replacement has been named for Hitchcock, who had third, third, second, first and consolation runner-up finishes at state in his five years in charge.
The only head coaching change at Nikiski actually came before the track season, so it will be business as usual with Jake Doth as the track head coach.
Homer High School saw some turnover with Chris Perk stepping back into the athletic director’s chair to replace Mark Casseri. Perk was athletic director for nine years before teaching physical education and health the past five years. He remains wrestling coach.
Coaching changes at Homer are Scott Smith for Rebecca Hardy in swimming, Eric Groth leaving as ski coach, Nate Creel for Casseri in boys basketball, Mark Putney leaving as baseball coach and Connie Akers leaving as girls basketball coach.
In Seward, Al Plan is replacing Sami King as athletic director.
