Skyline girls basketball coach Deb Bennett steps down

Skyline girls' basketball coach Deb Bennett, one of the longest-tenured and winningest coaches in the state, has announced that she will step down from coaching.

The 19-year leader of Skyline's program told her players yesterday afternoon that she had decided to not return to the hardwood next season. Bennett cited a tough balance of her teaching duties and her role as one of the school's athletic directors as the main reason she stepped down.

The school has already named 26-year-old assistant Lynette Schroeder as Bennett's successor.

"It's a big decision — as long as I can remember, the word 'coach' has preceded my name," she said in an interview with the Tribune. "It's been increasingly more difficult to balance my responsibilities, and I'm happy with what I accomplished here. It's a good time."

Bennett was one of the most successful coaches in state history, compiling a record of 327-110 and reaching the playoffs every single season of her tenure. The 58-year-old won Class 5A state championships in 2006 and 2008. This season, the Eagles reached the Final Four before falling to Timpanogos in the semifinals of the Class 4A tournament.

We'll have more on this story later in the day.

— Kyle Goon

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon