LA CONNER — A day before the first game of the high school football season, La Conner coach Patrick Brown announced Thursday afternoon that he is resigning to take the athletic director position at Squalicum High School.
Brown, who lives in Bellingham, said the decision was difficult, but one he had to make for professional and family reasons.
“It was very awkward timing for school and football team. But the students understood that the move was about my family,” he said. “I have two little girls and have spent a lot of time away from them commuting.”
Assistant coach Mike Compton will be the interim head coach, Brown said. Compton has been an assistant coach at La Conner and at Anacortes.
The Braves are scheduled to host a non-league game Friday against King’s at 7 p.m.
Brown was going into his seventh season as Braves coach. His teams compiled a 28-31 record and went to the state Class 1A playoffs in 2004.
The Squalicum position opened recently when athletic director Mike McKee accepted a position at Lynden High School.
“I’ve been fortunate,” said Brown. “La Conner is a supportive community, not just with football but with what we expected from the boys overall and in the classroom. It’s been an incredible district to work for ... I was lucky all the way around.”

