Suffield girls basketball coach Wayne Patterson is stepping down from his role following this year's NEPSAC playoffs. Assistant Mike Welsh will take over the head coaching position next season, Suffield announced on Tuesday.
This was a planned move that will have Patterson remain on staff as co-athletic director. He has spent the last 19 years coaching at Suffield, with previous stints at Longmeadow High and with the St. Mary (Westfield) boys team.
"I have been thinking about it," Patterson said. "I've been at it for 30-plus years, and with a team that has no seniors on it, I really felt it was a fair time to step aside and let Mike take over with, you know, a team that has a lot of potential next year. Let him get situated with a team that's very good, and start his recruiting process and get everything done, rather than kind of wait till next year."
Patterson surpassed 400 career wins on Feb. 21 against Westminster. In his 19 years, he has led the Tigers to 16 NEPSAC playoff appearances and four semifinal runs, plus a NEPSAC championship in 2008. The school recently honored Patterson by dedicating a new video board at their home Kinne Court in his name — a ceremony that surprised Patterson.
