Sanchez steps down at Washington

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Washington finds itself looking for a new leader for its boys' basketball program.

Activities Director Paul James announced late Friday afternoon that Adam Sanchez has resigned from his coaching and teaching duties at the school. A search for his replacement has begun.

'It was a decision both parties made,” Sanchez said Friday night. 'It is a decision in the best interest of both parties. They had some commitments they wanted me to make, and I wasn't willing to do them. It was a tough decision on my part. I love the kids, I love the school.”

Sanchez, 32, took the Washington job three years ago after serving as an assistant coach at Wartburg College and Grand View University and as a graduate assistant for Tom and Keno Davis and Drake. He won seven games his first season, as the school ended a 27-game losing streak.

The Warriors were 6-17 in 2013-14 and went 13-10 this past season, tying Dubuque Hempstead for the Mississippi Valley Conference's Mississippi Division championship. They lost to Iowa City West in a Class 4A substate final.

Top junior guard Jared Printy, a probable Division I college player, transferred to Linn-Mar this spring.

Sanchez commuted every day from Williamsburg, where his wife, Abby, is from. The couple have four young children.

'It is best for my family to stay in Williamsburg,” said Sanchez, whose oldest daughter was diagnosed with Type I diabetes earlier this week. 'That's the decision I made. I still want to coach again sometime, somewhere.”

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