While the name at the top of the Coupeville High School volleyball program has changed three times in four years, the core values have not.

New coach Cory Whitmore will follow the lead of his predecessors.

Toni Crebbin stepped down at the end of the 2012 season after 20 years. Kristy Croghan took over for one year and then resigned because the commute from La Conner, where she taught, was too difficult. Breanne Smedley controlled the helm the past two seasons then left to return to the Vancouver area where she grew up and become the head coach at Columbia River High School.

All stressed the development of the individual and not just the player, and Whitmore shares the same philosophy.

“It’s important to me that every player that comes through the Coupeville volleyball program will grow not only as an athlete but also an individual and as a valued part of the Wolf family,” he said. “I want to develop leaders on the court, in the classroom and in the community that are mentally and emotionally strong.”

This is Whitmore’s first varsity coaching position.

While in college at Washington State University, he assisted at nearby Colfax High School and helped the Bulldogs and coach Sue Doering earn two firsts and a second in the state tournament.

Upon graduation in 2013, he accepted a job teaching English and coaching C-team volleyball at Oak Harbor High School.

He will continue to teach at OHHS and admits that could present some challenges.

“But luckily with technology, the task is much more manageable,” he said. “Communication and organization will be key.”

Whitmore grew up in Ritzville, where he played football (for his father), basketball and track.  He turned down several athletic opportunities at small colleges to concentrate on getting his degree at WSU and become a fourth-generation teacher.

“But moving from years of three sports (plus endless summer camps), I was definitely missing the competition and routine athletics offered,” Whitmore said. “I then went out for men’s volleyball at WSU. It was a sport I had not played competitively but was always interested in.

“It soon became an obsession, and, on top of playing, I quickly became involved in coaching volleyball.”

Whitmore worked with Smedley while coaching the local off-season club team, Whidbey Fury.

Smedley’s praise for the Coupeville student-athletes, parents, staff and community drew Whitmore to the CHS job when it opened.

“Growing up in a small community, I understand the bond and tradition that can be created,” Whitmore added.

“It’s important for me to develop players that care about the past, present and future of the program with tradition starting at the grade school levels and continuing past high school.”

The keys to developing a winning program, according to Whitmore, are attitude, effort, competitiveness and service.

Another important element, he said, is fostering a feeder program.

“Grade school events, middle school programs and working with local clubs creating involvement, excitement and early athlete development is very important,” he said. “Working with leadership and developing those leaders is vital to a program as well.”

So far he likes what he sees from his first team.

“I’m very impressed with the dedication a large number of the players have brought this summer,” Whitmore said.

“I could not be more excited to be coaching with such a great group of student/athletes, school and community. I have lofty goals for the program, and I can’t wait to see where hard work and cohesion will take us.”