Jeannie Thompson Named Women's Basketball Coach

Everett, WA - Today, EvCC Athletic Director announced the hiring of Jeannie Thompson to bring in the next era of EvCC Women's Basketball after long time coach Chet Hovde decided to retire at the end of the 2021 season, capping an illustrious 35-year career at Everett with a North Region Championship.    

Jeannie Thompson, an Everett area native, was previously the head coach at Everett High School, her alma matter.  She led the Seagulls to their first playoff win in nearly a decade during her two-year tenure.  

From 2003-2012 Coach Thompson was the Head Girls' Basketball Coach at Jackson High School in Mill Creek.  In her ten seasons of coaching the Timberwolves the team won two District Championships, qualified for the state tournament five times, earning 7th and 4th place trophies, respectively.  Coach Thompson was named the Walsh-Platt Coach of the Year in 2007 and was a Wesco All-Star Game Coach in 2008.  While at Jackson she coached a number of high level players including Kristi Kingma who was named All Pac 10 in 2011 at UW, setting a school record with 79 three point field goals made in a single season.

"We are ecstatic to welcome Jeannie to the Trojan Family, said Athletic Director Garet Studer.  Every coach I spoke to in the WESCO spoke very highly of Jeannie.  She has a great reputation here in Snohomish County, which is important for us to competitively recruit the talent rich area.  I've had the opportunity to see her coach at Everett High, and the combination of her passion, dedication, knowledge of the game, and ability to connect with the athletes is everything we were looking for in a head coach."

Coach Thompson graduated from Everett High School in 1998 where she played varsity basketball for four seasons.  She earned several All-Wesco and All-District honors and her 1996 team played in the WIAA 3A state tournament.  After high school, Coach Thompson played her college career at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho.  At C of I Coach Thompson competed in two NAIA National Tournaments, with her team placing 2nd in the nation in 2001.  At one time, she held four school records (career rebounds, assists, steals, and starts).  She was named All-Conference (2001, 2002), an NAIA Academic All-American (2001, 2002), NAIA All-American Honorable Mention (2001), and was inducted into the C of I Hall of Fame as a member of the 2001 NAIA National 2nd Place Team (2017).  

"Everett Community College has a storied tradition of success in the women's basketball program, said Jeannie Thompson when asked about the job.  Chet left a legacy that is incredible.  He impacted so many lives.  I am humbled and honored to be following in his footsteps, lead this program, and continue building on the hard work of those who have come before me. This coaching position is a once and a lifetime opportunity that I couldn't let pass me by."  

Coach Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Educational Studies and completed her secondary teaching credentials while at C of I.  She has taught science in the Everett School District for 18 years at Jackson High School and Sequoia High School.   When Coach Thompson is not teaching and coaching, she is spending time with her family and son Carson, golfing, and spending time on water during the summer.