Northern Freeze coach puts family ahead of coaching

Sean Spilde is passionate about coaching basketball. But he’s getting out of the profession for a higher priority -- family.

Spilde has resigned as coach of the Northern Freeze girls basketball team, a co-op between the Tri-County and Marshall County Central schools.

“I didn’t retire from coaching,’’ the 47-year-old said. “I stepped down for now. Plain and simple, I was tired of missing my boys’ games.’’

Spilde’s twin sons, Jaacks and Jackson, will be seniors next school year. Both play basketball. Because of scheduling conflicts between the Freeze boys and girls basketball teams this past season, when the two teams played on the same night, Spilde missed seven of the 27 games his sons played.

“It was very easy to focus on my team’s games on those nights,’’ Sean Spilde said. “There were no issues with that. I guess I’m pretty competitive.

“I just don’t want to miss any more of their games. The hardest part was coming home, talking to them about their games but not being able to be there to watch. I’d watch the games afterward on HUDL (an on-line video and statistics service). But it’s not the same as being there.’’

Spilde has a long background at Karlstad.

He graduated from Karlstad High School in 1991. After graduating from college, he returned home to teach and coach. “It’s been my first and only teaching job,’’ he said.

And he hopes to coach again -- when the time is right.

“I love coaching,’’ Spilde said. “I’ve always enjoyed watching kids develop and go from being individuals to being a team. I’ll be back in it as soon as possible.’’

Here’s a rundown of other head coaches who are leaving at Minnesota area high schools and, where available, their replacements.

EGF Senior High -- Departing: Jay Frydenlund, girls basketball; Jake Jensen, boys soccer; New: Dennis Carpenter, girls basketball.

Badger-Greenbush-Middle River -- Departing: Nathan Voll, baseball.

Lake of the Woods -- Departing: Bob Laine, football; New: Bryan Sathre, football.

Northern Freeze -- Departing: Sean Spilde, girls basketball; Zach Green, boys basketball.

Red Lake County Central -- Departing: Mark Bagaason, girls basketball.

Roseau -- Departing: Tracey Wensloff, baseball.

Stephen-Argyle -- Departing: Renae Lindgren, volleyball.

Thief River Falls -- Departing: Ashley Beito, volleyball; New: Hannah Kraemer, volleyball.

Warren-Alvarado-Oslo -- Departing: Jason Hanson, girls basketball.