Doser: 'It's time for a break'

 CEDAR RAPIDS -- His eldest child is transitioning to college next year. The next one is transitioning to high school.

So Steve Doser is transitioning out of coaching.

"It's time for a break," Doser said Thursday in confirming that he will step aside from his head position with the Cedar Rapids Prairie girls' basketball program at the end of the season. "I need to step back and be there for my family."

Doser, 47, guided Prairie to its first state tournament in 2001, his first year on the job. The Hawks returned to state in 2005 and 2006.

The latter two teams reached the Class 4A semifinals, and the 2006 squad was the winningest in Prairie history, at 19-6.

Prairie won its first Mississippi Valley Conference championship last year, claiming the Valley Division title.

Doser is in his 14th year at Prairie and owns a 164-145 record there. Before taking the Prairie job in 2000, he improved a losing program at Marion. His overall record is 212-220 in 20 years.

"That first year, getting to the state tournament, that was memorable," Doser said. "But I think I'm most proud of some of the things we've done off the court, like our partnership with the Special Olympics."

The Hawks are 6-5 this season and play at Cedar Rapids Washington on Friday.

Doser will remain with the College Community School District as a community relations director.

He told his team of his decision on Wednesday, choosing to announce it now so Prairie would have time to hire a strong successor.

"The kids were OK with it. They understood my reasoning," he said.

"I'm really going to miss the kids and camaraderie with the coaches in the MVC."