Longtime Hoquiam educator Mark Maxfield will step down after five years as the Grizzly girls basketball coach.

The 67-year-old Maxfield announced his retirement recently. He had previously announced he would relinquish his duties as Hoquiam’s athletic director at the end of the school year.

Maxfield said he plans to devote more time to his family and travel while possibly coaching youth sports. His travel plans include visiting every major league baseball stadium.

“My wife (Patti) and I have many things planned in our retirement years,” Maxfield said. “I really need to be a better grandpa to my wonderful grandkids (in Hoquiam and North Carolina).”

His son, Brock, is the Hoquiam High principal.

The timing is right, he added, for an orderly transition in the girls basketball program.

” I have thoroughly enjoyed my time coaching the Grizzly girls. This is a great time for a new coach to come in, as we’ll have 10 varsity players returning next year,” he noted. “I never wanted to leave a new coach with an empty cupboard.”

Maxfield joined the Hoquiam School District as Central Elementary School’s principal in 1987. He has served in several coaching and administrative capacities within the district and was the head coach of the Grizzlies’ state championship softball team in 2006.

He succeeded current Grays Harbor College women’s coach Chad Allan as the HHS girls basketball coach in 2013.

The Grizzlies were 10-13 last season but finished the campaign with a near-upset of regional-bound Montesano, falling 44-42 in a district contest.

Maxfield said he’ll miss the association with high school sports.

“My philosophy has always been that the basketball court is a classroom and I’ve tried to teach the mental and physical aspects of the game,” he said. “Just as importantly is the way you treat your teammates and opponents. I have always emphasized showing class on and off the court. Win or lose, I wanted our opponents to respect us.”