Andreasen quits

Citing the difficulty of being both the basketball coach and athletics director at Carson High School, Tom Andreasen stepped down as the Senators basketball coach this week.

"I'm gonna give it up," said Andreasen, who coached the Senators to a 31-24 overall record over the last two seasons. "I'd been thinking about it and decided Monday. There are too many conflicts with the athletics director job and my choice is to stick with the AD job.

"It is a tough decision, but everything will eventually work out."

This was Andreasen's second stint as the Carson basketball coach. He was 130-71 as the Senators' coach between 1972-81 and led the Senators to the state title in 1975.

In his second stint, Carson made the zone tournament in both 1999 and this past season, falling to Galena in the first round both times.

Andreasen said he gathered the Carson players together on Monday and told them of the decision.

Junior Cody Longero said the players were surprised by Andreasen's announcement.

"It came as a little shock," said Longero, one of six Senator juniors expected to rejoin the team next season. "But I know Coach Andreasen will still be there for me. He'll still come to all of the games and I'll still go to him for advice."

The coaching job will now become open within the school district. If no suitable candidates are found within the district, the job will be opened to outside candidates.

Andreasen said part of his decision was based on his belief that he will be leaving the team in good shape for the next Carson coach. In addition to Longero, experienced varsity players Jeff Young, Leo Tavera, Vin Reymus, Rich Serralta and Chandler Allen will be available to the next Senator coach, as well as a good crop of JV players making the jump to varsity, including Ryan Buttner, Stephen Weyrick and Stephen Hartman. Carson's JV team had a 24-2 record last season.

"This is the best time to let go," Andreasen said. "There are six good kids back who will mix well with the junior varsity bunch."

A list of applicants from within the district is likely to include: current Carson junior varsity coach Rob Streeter, current Senator track coach and former Lovelock basketball coach Todd Ackerman, and Bruce Barnes. Former Dayton High coach Ric Garcia, a Carson High teacher, said he will not apply for the head coaching job (although he did not rule out an assistant's position).

Current assistant Mike Longero will not apply for the job.