Jessica Howe believes “there is still unfinished business,” after the Portage Community School District announced Monday that she would not be returning as coach of the Portage girls basketball program next season.
“While I am leaving my position as head coach with my head held high, I am also saddened by the fact that I will not be able to return,” Howe wrote in an email to WiscNews staff on Tuesday.
“There are girls whom I will miss dearly, and there are others whom I will never have the opportunity to coach.”
The announcement, sent by athletic director Ed Carlson, ended Howe’s seven-year tenure leading the Warriors. Howe will remain in her role as a physical education teacher at Portage High School, according to Carlson.
“The decision that Coach Howe will not return as head coach was made after careful consideration and evaluation of the program’s needs and future direction,” Carlson wrote.
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“We extend our gratitude to coach Jessica Howe for her significant contributions and dedication to the program.”
Carlson said Howe’s departure was “not a resignation,” and her non-renewal was ultimately a decision made by himself.
“The buck stops with me,” Carlson said. “I’m the one who makes the decisions and I’m responsible for evaluating the department, so it has to fall on somebody and that’s me.”
Howe took over ahead of the 2017-18 season, succeeding Pete Hibner after he spent four years at the helm. The Warriors went a combined 17-31, including 10-18 in conference play, in Howe’s first two seasons in charge.
Things turned after that, however, as Portage combined for just eight wins in her final five seasons. The Warriors finished 1-24 this season, including 0-14 in Badger Small Conference play, suffering a season-ending 59-35 loss to La Crosse Central in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal on Feb. 20.
Howe finished with a career record of 25-116, including an 11-75 mark in conference play. While results petered out, Carlson applauded Howe for her commitment to her student-athletes. The former coach is most proud of her revitalization of the youth girls basketball program in Portage, starting the Portage Girls Basketball Club in 2021.
“Prior to my tenure, such an opportunity was nonexistent in the community,” Howe wrote. “I firmly believe that the skills and basketball IQ of our participants have improved greatly, enabling them to compete more successfully.
“I wish nothing but the best for the girls and the PHS basketball program moving forward.”
Carlson said he hopes to find Howe’s successor by the end of May so that the new coach can implement an offseason workout schedule ahead of the summer. The girls basketball opening is Portage’s third coaching vacancy alongside girls volleyball and girls swimming coach, according to Carlson.
Connie Wampler resigned on Feb. 6 after leading the Warriors volleyball program for two seasons, but after going a combined 45-33 in two seasons, Carlson said there are no applicants for the position over a month since its posting. Travis Baughman meanwhile stepped down after one year as full-time coach of the Warriors girls swim coach. Baughman served as co-interim coach alongside Adrienne Hitt last season after Dyke Justin stepped down just 24 days into the 2022 season.
Portage, which closed the Llewellyn Breese Memorial Pool after 27 years at the end of last season, will co-op with Poynette this fall.