Longtime assistant coach Mike Stoddard has been named the new head basketball coach of Montesano High School after the resignation of former head coach Doug Galloway.

Stoddard, who last helmed a high school program as Aberdeen’s head boys basketball coach from 2006-11, was named the Bulldogs’ new head coach after Galloway stepped down after eight years on the job.

“Like my dad, I find it hard to retire, it’s just not in my vocabulary,” Stoddard said, referencing his father and legendary Grays Harbor College head coach Jack Stoddard. “I enjoy working with the kids and enjoy basketball.”

Stoddard’s coaching roots go back to his pre-teen years, where he would watch film and run out-of-bounds plays for the Chokers during his father’s tenure as GHC head coach.

Stoddard took a year off after his stint at Aberdeen before joining Galloway when the former Monte head coach was hired for the 2013-14 season. He has coached the Montesano junior varsity team and plans on continuing Galloway’s winning formula that has produced league titles and a 2018 state-tournament berth.

“Montesano has been very fortunate to have Doug as a coach for the past eight years … It’s been a lot of fun working with Doug,” Stoddard said. “It helps knowing Doug put in a good system. … Knowing the system Doug has and the things he liked to run to make the program successful are things I’m going to continue to do.”

“I think he’s a fantastic hire,” Galloway said of his longtime assistant coach. “Stodds has a lot of experience. He’s been a part of basketball all his life. … He’s got a great basketball mind and is a one-of-a-kind person, just a gem of a human being. I think he’s going to do a fantastic job at Montesano.”

Galloway resigned shortly after the end of Montesano’s season, citing a want to spend more time with family as a key reason for his stepping down as boys basketball coach, though he will continue to teach and coach boys/girls golf at the school.

“I just kind of felt like it was time to spend a little more time with family and get a chance to see my daughters and son when they are in town and spend Christmases and Thanksgivings with the family, those types of things,” Galloway said. “I was grateful for the opportunity to coach at Montesano. The administration and AD, everyone at Montesano is absolutely fantastic. … The kids worked their tail (s) off and I’m really proud of what we accomplished. … I’m looking forward to Stodd being able to take it even further.”

Thus far, Stoddard said the feedback he’s received regarding the promotion has been positive, though he admits you typically don’t hear from detractors shortly after being hired in the off-season.

“So far it’s been positive. You get calls and texts from people saying congratulations, but you never hear from the other side that might not like the decision. They’ll come later,” he quipped. “Everything has been positive. the Montesano district has a very good administration that really supports all their programs and we have some great fans.”