Vogel steps down after five-year run at Clark Fork

CLARK FORK — After a solid five year stint, Clark Fork boys head basketball coach Corey Vogel has decided to step down.

Vogel guided the Cats to their best season in 2013, falling three points short of going to state and handing North Star League champion Lakeside its only two league losses. A Clark Fork alumni who works as a surveyor in Sandpoint, he said the logistics of his two jobs made things tough.

“It’s kind of tough working out of town and not being right at the school,” said Vogel, citing personal reasons for his resignation. “I think I need to step down so I can enjoy the game more.”

He was also a JV coach for two seasons before taking over the varsity, spending the last seven years in the program.

Vogel leaves the team on solid footing, with a host of underclassmen seeing a lot of playing time last season and with Jake Aguirre, who played at Sandpoint last year, possibly returning to Clark Fork.

He earned North Star League Coach of the Year for his efforts stewarding the 2013 team, calling that a great year. With his son Conorey Vogel a junior next season, Corey will get a chance to enjoy the games from the stands.

“We’ll have a good team next year. I’ll enjoy watching the kids I’ve coached and tried to teach,” he said, noting he’ll miss the practices and even the long bus rides for league games. “It’s really gratifying being called coach when you see these old players.”