By CASEY OLSON, The Mirror

The only coach in Todd Beamer High School basketball history to lead the Titans into the West Central District Tournament won’t be back on the bench next season.

Second-year boys basketball head coach Connie Richardson resigned Thursday, saying he wanted to be closer to his family and job. Richardson works in school security in the Puyallup School District.

“It was a pretty easy decision to make to be close to my family,” Richardson said. “But my time here at Beamer was good. We went to the playoffs twice and I think I’m leaving the program in good shape.”

Beamer has finished 7-7 in the South Puget Sound League South Division both of the last two seasons, qualifying for the league and West Central District tournaments both years.

Richardson took over the Titan program from Jarrett Mentink, who resigned after three seasons to spend more time with his family.