Assistant Coaches

Astoria Coaches

There have never been four more deserving coaches to be inducted into the AHS Hall of Fame than Loren Bruner, Bob Landwehr, Mark Fick and Todd Barnes. These four individuals were assistant coaches for a combined total of 108 years, an average of 27 years per coach. They were the primary reason for the success in the Mike Goin era of Astoria boys’ basketball. None of them ever worried about the winning or losing of a game, only about teaching the fundamentals, sportsmanship, team play, playing all players in every game and developing outstanding student athletes. In the state of Oregon, (maybe the nation), you would be hard pressed to find a group of coaches more dedicated and loyal to a high school program.

In Oregon, there is only one assistant coach selected out of every high school and junior high to be the state of Oregon’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Loren Bruner, Bob Landwehr and Todd Barnes all received this honor as you will read later on. Mark Fick would have surely received this honor but took a head basketball coaching position for one year in Warrenton which made him ineligible to be nominated.

Loren Bruner

Loren Bruner came to AHS in 1969-70 after graduating from Linfield College. He had outstanding basketball careers playing for R.A. Long High School, Lower Columbia College and Linfield. Besides coaching basketball, he was several years the freshman track coach and freshman and JV football coach. His assistant basketball coaching consisted of seven years freshman, 21 years as the JV coach and two years assistant varsity coach. In 1997-98 Loren was selected as the Oregon State Assistant Coach of the Year. Loren retired after an outstanding teaching career of 30 years and is currently living in Astoria with his wife Myrle.

Bob Landwehr

Landwehr came back to AHS in 1972 having graduated from Oregon College of Education. Bob was a 1966 graduate of AHS having participated in basketball and having an outstanding cross country and track career at AHS. Besides coaching freshman basketball, he coached 7th grade girls’ volleyball and 9th grade track for 12 years. His assistant basketball coaching consisted of three years 7th and 8th grade basketball, two years of 9th grade B team, 23 years freshman and one year assistant varsity basketball coach. In 2002 Bob was selected as the Oregon State Assistant Coach of the Year. Bob retired after 30 years of teaching.

Mark Fick

Fick came back to AHS in 1974 having graduated from OCE. Mark was a 1970 graduate for AHS having participated in basketball and baseball for the Fishermen. He also played baseball and basketball for Clatsop Community College for two years. Mark was the sophomore and soph/frosh coach for 24 years. He was the girls’ assistant JV coach for one year and the head varsity girls basketball coach for three plus years where they won the Cowapa League title in 2001 and placed 6th at state. In 2002, they placed 2nd in league and went on to finish in the final eight at state. Both years his teams garnered the State Sportsmanship Award. In 2001, he was selected Cowapa Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. Mark retired from teaching in 2004 and has been the Jewell Athletic Director and girls’ basketball coach until the present time. He is living in Astoria with his wife Geri.

Todd Barnes

Barnes came to AHS in 1971 having graduated from Oregon College of Education. Todd graduated from Roseburg High School in 1971 where he participated in football and was a very good golfer. He started his coaching career at Lewis and Clark Central, coaching 6th grade basketball. In 1976, the district reorganized the schools to create a middle school. Todd would be the 8th grade boys’ and girls’ coach for the next 25 years. In 1977 Todd was selected as the Oregon Middle School Coach of the Year. Todd retired from teaching after serving most of his career at Astoria Middle School. He continues to referee football games on the North Coast for our youth and is completing his 39th year as a referee. His is also still involved with the youth golf program at Astoria Golf & Country Club after 25 years. Todd is living in Astoria with his wife Betty.