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Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | 7:37 PM
Corey Dotchin used to listen to podcasts in his car on the way to basketball practice, but he doesn't have time for that anymore.
“From now on, I’m going to listen to them when I mow the grass,” said Dotchin, who was hired as Chartier Valley’s boys basketball coach Tuesday night. It's a much shorter drive from my home in Imperial.
Dotchin resigned from Highlands last month, saying he wanted to find a coaching job closer to home. He compiled a 55-22 record in three seasons as Highlands' coach and led the Rams to the WPIAL semifinals twice.
When he decided to resign, it became clear that the Chartier Valley job would be a perfect fit for him.
“First and foremost was the location,” Dotchin said, adding that the school is about eight miles from his workplace and about 12 miles from his home. “A big reason why I resigned from Highlands was because I was ambitious and couldn't devote all my time to it. He has a school 10 minutes away from home, so I was able to balance my personal life and my children. I can go to the gym regularly.”
He and his wife, Leah, are expecting their first child in late August or September. There was also the appeal of coaching a Colts program that won six WPIAL titles.
“They're known for their basketball tradition and their players,” Dotchin said. “Tim McConnell was one of the best coaches in the WPIAL. That tradition caught my eye.”
Before taking over as head coach of the Highlands, Dotchin spent nine seasons as an assistant with the Rams under Tyler Stoczynski. He helped the Highlands win the WPIAL title in 2020 and finish as runner-up in 2016.
The Chartier Valley School Board hired him at Tuesday's meeting.
Dotchin replaces Brandon Senser, who resigned after six seasons in February. The Colts went 82-39 in Senser's first five years, but his final year was cut short when he went on administrative leave with six weeks left in the season.
The Colts finished 11-12 overall and lost in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.
Dotchin said he plans to quickly begin player meetings and opening the gym next week. The Colts will also compete in the Pittsburgh Basketball Club League, which begins in a few weeks.
“It was everything I was looking for,” Dotchin said. “All the boxes are checked.”
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the tribe in 2009 after working as a reporter for the Beaver County Times for seven years. Contact him at charlan@triblive.com.
Tags: Chartiers Valley