Beebe let go as Rosary coach

After 17 years coaching girls basketball at Rosary, Dave Beebe found out Monday the school does not want him back.

Beebe met for 15 minutes with the school’s principal Sister Patricia Burke and learned of the decision.

“She basically said ‘the program has gotten away from me,’” Beebe said.

That came after a 9-18 season, a rare losing year for the Royals who always were among the best teams in the Suburban Catholic and then the Suburban Christian Conference under Beebe. Rosary also suffered several key injuries during the season this year, and the sophomore team tied for the conference title.

While initially upset by the news, Beebe said talking to some of his former players and parents have helped him get ready to move on. He is looking forward to spending time with his son before his son goes into the military and watching his daughter who plays junior high basketball. He also didn’t rule out a return to coaching next year if the right opportunity presents itself either as an assistant or head coach.

Beebe said there’s still a handful of parents emailing Rosary on his behalf, but that there was a vocal group, “a handful that have been on my butt pushing her (the principal) buttons” that led to his ouster.

“We had one bad season in 12 years,” Beebe said. “The mentality has changed. This wasn’t about playing time. Parents think every team should be winning. In 17 years I’ve had 17 positive evaluations. Everyone I’ve talked to says this doesn’t make sense, this doesn’t add up.”

Rosary Athletic Director Mary Lou Kunold hired Beebe, and he said his AD was in his corner. Kunold declined comment.

“Mary Lou did everything she could,” Beebe said. “I have the utmost respect for her. She helped me through this situation, did everything she could.”

Beebe coached the Rosary freshman for five years and the varsity the past 12. His teams won two regional championship and a conference title but what Beebe said he is most proud of was winning the sportsmanship award 10 of 12 years.

“I take a lot more from that,” Beebe said. “There’s a bigger picture than basketball.”

Even with the way his tenure ended, Beebe said he’s pulling for Rosary in the future. He said the new coach can do well. “I believe there’s talent and they can get back on track. Maybe in the long run it will be better for me and better for them.”

“I am trying to look at the positives,” said Beebe, mentioning weddings he’s been to of former players and the friendships he’s made with families. “There’s been so many good families through the years. Hearing from them has picked me up.”

Beebe also thanked coaches from some of the schools he competed with who have told him Rosary ran a “class program.”

“That went a long way with me,” Beebe said. “It’s a nice thing to hear that but I wish it would have went a long way with the school.”