McClave High School has decided not to renew the contract of girls basketball coach Dick Peecher, who guided his team to four Class 1A titles in ten seasons.
After taking over coaching duties in 2000, Peecher, who had been an assistant, built the struggling program into a powerhouse. The four championships are the only titles in the school’s history.
“I’m really disappointed,” Peecher said. “I spent a lot of time and put a lot of myself into the program. I think the board felt like I was a little too negative with what happened at the state tournament last season. I wanted a chance to correct some of my mistakes, but they thought otherwise.”
McClave captured consecutive crowns from 2004 through 2006 and won its fourth state title in 2009.
Last season, McClave advanced to the state tournament for the third consecutive season, and the ninth time in 10 years. But the Cardinals went 0-2 in the tournament and ended the season with a 22-3 record.
Among highlights for the program was a state record 78-game winning streak.
“The school appreciates everything Mr. Peecher’s done over the years, but they’ve just chosen to go a different direction,” McClave School District superintendent Terry Weber said.
Read the full story at . Additional reporting by Ryan Casey, The Denver Post.
