Josh Claypool resigns as Marion girls’ basketball coach

MARION — Josh Claypool has three kids in the Marion Independent school system. His oldest, a son, is a sophomore basketball player.

“I’ve missed every one of his games the last two years,” Claypool said. “I thought I could balance this, but I’m missing way too many of my kids’ activities.”

As a result, Claypool has resigned his position as head girls’ basketball coach with the Indians.

“It just wasn’t feasible for me to do this any more,” said Claypool, who sent an email Monday to all families and players from last season. “It was a really tough decision, but the right one.”

Claypool, 43 compiled a 35-11 record in two seasons in charge. He had been with the program since 2012.

He served as head JV/assistant varsity coach through 2019, then was elevated to head varsity coach in 2019, a month after Corby Laube’s sudden resignation.

Claypool’s first team went 21-2, including 19-0 in the Wamac, but was upset by Clear Creek Amana in a Class 4A regional final.

“That was a really tough loss,” Claypool said Tuesday. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over that one.”

With UNI recruit Riley Wright sidelined all season with a knee injury, the 2020-21 squad slipped to 14-9, but still shared the Wamac East Division title with Solon. The Indians fell to DeWitt Central in the regional final.

Marion has won or shared six consecutive Wamac divisional crowns, and Claypool was part of all of them.

The Indians — soon to become the Wolves — will return 72 percent of their scoring for 2021-22 and figure to contend, along with Solon, for another divisional crown.

Four starters will be back, led by 4A third-team all-stater Sadie Struchen, a senior-to-be who averaged 10.6 points per game.

Other key returners include Madison Prier (will be a senior) and Regan Rice and Ella Bockenstedt (juniors).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com