After nearly two decades as a key member of the Oregon Tech athletic department, longtime coach and administrator, Paul Poetsch, has announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2024-25 basketball season.
“It’s been my honor to have worked with the unbelievable men and women basketball players over the past 16 years at OIT,” Poestch said. “I will miss the relationships with players, fellow coaches and the entire OIT community. I extend a sincere thank you to all that I have worked with over the years.”
During his tenure at OIT, Poetsch was a men’s basketball assistant coach for both Danny Miles and Justin Parnell, stepped in as interim women’s basketball head coach in 2022-23, while this season, served as an assistant for both programs. He also served as the interim assistant athletic director for the department from October of 2016 to January of 2018.
“Paul is one of those irreplaceable guys,” Parnell said. “He was respected and loved by all. His impact on our program goes far beyond the on-court success and is rooted deeply in the positive impact that he’s had on every student-athlete he’s been around. He is a true servant leader.”
As a player, Poetsch had a Hall of Fame career at Linn-Benton Community College before becoming an All-Evergreen Conference performer at Western Oregon – leading his club to the 1980 league crown, advancing to the District 2 championship game.
He went on to a distinguished career in the Klamath Basin as a school administrator for 24 years – serving as head coach of the Perrydale boys’ basketball team and head coach of the Mazama girls’ team.
Poetsch served on Miles’ bench during the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons, before returning to Tech in 2011. He was a key part of the Hustlin’ Owls 2012 national title and a national runner-up finish in 2019.
“Paul was incredibly valuable to me as a first-time and young head coach,” Parnell said. “I know for a fact that we would not have had the success we’ve had over the past nine years without him. I am eternally grateful for his mentorship and friendship and will dearly miss having him on the sidelines.”
In 2022, Poetsch stepped in as interim head coach of the Lady Owls program – leading the club to a 21-9 record, advancing to the semifinals of the Cascade Conference Tournament. He returned to the women’s bench this season as an assistant to head coach Joy Lease, helping the squad to a 23-8 record – their third-straight 20-win season – and a trip to the NAIA Championships.
“In Coach Poetsch’s short time with the women’s program he has taken it to a new level,” Lease said. “He brought an expectation of excellence that has helped reset the identity of Oregon Tech women’s basketball. His genuine investment in players on and off the court have made hundreds of athletes not only better players, but better human beings. On a personal note, I will be forever grateful to him for the opportunity to come to Oregon Tech. His guidance and experience have been invaluable to my own coaching journey, and although I know we will see him on the other side of the court, his presence on the bench and in practice will be sorely missed.”
“We were lucky to have had Paul as long as we did and wish him nothing but fairways and greens in retirement,” Parnell said.
OTHER QUOTES ON PAUL POETSCH
“I am truly thankful for the many hours Poetsch invested in me, helping me grow not only as a player but as a young man. He cares about his players in a way that truly transcends basketball and his years of investment in the program I know can’t be fully quantified!” – Matt Van Tassel (2018-22)
“Coach Poetsch has been a pivotal figure in my life since the day I stepped foot on Oregon Tech’s campus as a student-athlete in 2014. As I reflect on the last 10 years, I’ll never be able to repay him for the positive impact he’s had on my life as not only a coach but a mentor as well. His knowledge, patience, and ability to connect with student athletes at Tech will definitely be missed, but his legacy in Klamath Falls athletics is something that will last forever.” – Joel Yellow Owl (2015-17)
“Coach Poetsch has been a constant source of guidance and support for the women’s basketball program. Providing direction in the tough times and celebrating the successes during the good. The lasting impact he has had as a mentor, friend and advocate is deeply appreciated by all, both on and off the court.” – Olivia Sprague (2021-26)
“Coach Poestch has made an incredible impact on the Oregon Tech Men’s and Women’s basketball program and the Klamath Falls community, both as a coach and administrator in the local school district. I spent countless hours with Coach during my career as a Hustlin’ Owls. Coach gave up an enormous amount of time and energy to help me achieve my goals as a player while helping develop my skills, particularly shooting. Some of my fondest memories at Oregon Tech were the contests with Coach shooting 100 Free Throws each to see who could make the most. I wouldn’t have become the player I was without Coach Poetsch. I’m extremely fortunate to call Coach a mentor and friend. I wish him an enjoyable retirement and thank him for his commitment and service to Oregon Tech basketball.” – Austen Flint (2012-16)
“Poetsch was always the first to sense if I was having a bad day or if I needed a pick me up. He was a great coach and an even better person to be around.” – Erik Fraser (2020-25)
