By John RittenhouseLuverne’s Mary Jo Graphenteen will return to the coaching ranks next fall.After coaching the Luverne High School volleyball team for 19 years, Graphenteen will step into the head coaching position at Adrian High School next fall.Graphenteen’s years of coaching service at LHS consists of two different stints.She served as head coach of the program from1983-1997 before giving up the reigns to Paul Meyer for the 1998 season. Graphenteen returned to the post in 1999 and remained head coach through the 2002 season, after which school officials decided not to renew her contract.Graphenteen will bring experience and impressive credentials to the AHS program, which was headed by Jessica Hogan for the last two years before her teaching position was recently cut.During her 19 years of service at LHS, Graphenteen compiled a 332-164-31 record. The Cardinals won one Southwest Conference championship, seven District 8 championships, two Region 2 championships and made two appearances at the state tournament."We’re happy to have her coming over here," said Adrian superintendent Roger Graff. "Mary Jo is a seasoned, experienced coach. We have a good nucleus of players over here right now, and we know she will put forth her best effort with them."Unfortunately for everyone involved, Graphenteen didn’t leave the LHS post willingly.According to the coach, a situation involving the 2002 team prompted school officials not to renew Graphenteen’s contract in 2003, and her coaching career at LHS was over."They (LHS officials) decided to go in a different direction," Graphenteen offered. "Many people assume I did something horrid. I didn’t. Very few people know the truth."Graphenteen is convinced the truth will be revealed one day, and she’s ready to begin a new part of her coaching career in Adrian."I’m really looking forward to it," she said. "I’m exited about going to work with Roger Graff (Adrian’s superintendent) and Ron Rother (Adrian’s athletic director) and the Adrian school district. I’ve had the chance to go over there and put on some summer camps in recent years, so I know some of the kids. They are fired up. They love the sport of volleyball, and that’s all it really takes."Graphenteen actually had two options in rekindling her coaching career.Along with Adrian, Hills-Beaver Creek is seeking a replacement for former head coach Curt Doorneweerd. After considering her options, Graphenteen decided to take the position at AHS."I would love to work for Dave," she said. Dave Deragisch is H-BC’s current superintendent and former Luverne Middle School principal."Actually, I would have loved to coach at either school. For me, at this point in my career, Adrian seemed to be the better fit."The Dragons have struggled on the volleyball court in recent years, but Graphenteen is convinced AHS is close to becoming a strong team once again."They are on the brink," Graphenteen said of the Dragons. "They have had a competitive team the last couple of years, but volleyball is a funny sport. You can win a lot of games and not win any matches.""I think Jessica Hogan and (AHS assistant coach) Lynette Springman have done a great job of preparing the Adrian volleyball program to take the next step," she said. "I hope to continue that."Graphenteen will continue her work in Luverne as middle school teacher.
