David Stark, head men's varsity basketball coach at (Tempe, Ariz.) Marcos de Niza High School is one of the longest tenured coaches in the state's large school divisions. Having been at the helm since 1998, Coach Stark has been on the job in one school for what seems like an eternity in a profession with rapid turnover.

Under Coach Stark's guidance the Padres are known for their up-tempo, scrappy style of play and it's brought the program much success. It didn't take Stark long to win a state championship, having brought home the title in 2002 with one of his prototypical teams. Deservedly, Stark was named Coach of the Year by the Arizona Coaches Association.

Since the championship year, the Padres were state runners-up in 2008 and made it to the Final Four in 2010.

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ArizonaVarsity: Where did you attend high school and college - tell us about your playing career?

Coach Stark: I attended McClintock High School and graduated in 1985. I played basketball for my first three years there and varsity tennis for four years - I really focused in on tennis my senior year. I then played varsity tennis at Scottsdale Community College and Mesa Community College reaching the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference regional finals both years. I graduated from Arizona State University in 1989.

Right out of college I went down to Tucson and taught Physical Education and Health in the Catalina Foothills District and obtained my Masters Degree from the University of Arizona in 1991. I was lucky, because at the time, it was one of a few districts that paid for your Masters Degree while teaching full time!

P.S. I'm still playing in men's basketball leagues with some of my former players like Jon Ziri, Marcus Williams, Josh Todd, etc. as well as competing in tennis tournaments as a ranked player 45 and over.

AV: How did you get into coaching?

Coach Stark: My Dad coached in Ohio for over 30 years both as a head basketball and tennis coach at Southview High School and Lorain County Community College. I was basically raised in a gym while young and having both my Father and Mother as teachers pretty much paved my future of what I wanted to do. Loving kids and loving to compete, it was a no brainer!

My first two years out of college in Tucson I coached assistant varsity, head J.V. basketball and tennis at St. Gregory's High School. I then came back to Tempe and spent eight years with Franklin "Doc" Zinke as head JV and assistant varsity boys basketball coach and head tennis coach as well. Being a hungry young coach wanting to have my own program at that 10-year mark came to be as I was named head basketball coach at Marcos de Niza for the 1998-99 season and have been there since.

AV: How do you manage your time during the season with respect toward your teaching/coaching duties and your social/family life?

Coach Stark: It is tough. A good teacher will spend a considerable amount of time and energy on his students. A good coach will do the same. A good father will also give his family all that he can. I try to do all of them well but being a Dad is #1 and family is always first. My only time I am without my family is maybe my tennis tournaments or men's league basketball games, and they are with me then half of the time. I am blessed in that my family is a huge part of my teaching and coaching - my wife is the athletic secretary at Marcos and my two sons will now both be at Marcos playing ball and my 12-year-old daughter who is musically gifted is a positive and awesome fan!

I have coached my Phoenix Force club team for both of the boys the past seven years and that also allows even more time together between practices and weekend tournaments. I do not have much of a social life and do not really care at this point as I want to give the kids all that I can.

AV: What position do you hold on your school's campus other than your coaching job?

Coach Stark: I have just finished teaching Chemistry/Physics for the 14th year in a row. I now will be serving as the Department Head of Physical Education next year and am excited to get back in P.E and add some new direction to the program.

AV: Who are your coaching idols?

Coach Stark: My dad was one heck of a coach and I loved watching Bobby Knight throughout his career.

AV: Do you have any current or past mentors and what did you learn from them?

Coach: My Dad , Ken Bucholtz and Doc Zinke.

Being around my Dad's program in Ohio introduced to me at a young age how intensity, hustle and scrap can really add to a team's identity. His school was a lot like Marcos de Niza in terms of student body and his teams are how I would like mine to be identified as.

Coach Bucholtz at St. Gregory H. S. allowed me to run my own junior varsity team at 22-years-old while valuing my input and thoughts with the varsity. Practice planning and organization were a strong point with him.

Doc Zinke was like a second father for me both when playing and coaching in his program - a tireless worker, "old school" and an energy level second to none! Doc was a tough man but ALWAYS took care of the kids no matter what the players, parents or outside world thought of him and his style. I truly miss Coach Zinke and am grateful for the time developing with him.

AV: What are some of the personal rewards you've gained from coaching?

Coach Stark: I love being able to compete and coaching is a venue that allows that. I love that many players who have gone through our program have played college ball and have been very successful in their adult lives. I also cherish the relationships that are built. I still have some of my old players come by and see me and that is a big reward.

In the end, it is the kids that we as coaches give our heart and soul to. It's a reward that not everyone can understand or believe all that we go through to achieve that forming of a positive and solid young man that we as coaches have the ability to help mold.

AV: Who are the top three high school coaches in AZ?

Coach Stark: There are many top-notch coaches that get the most out of their kids and give a tremendous amount of time and effort in the overall development of them. To name just three would be unjust to all of the positive and effective coaches that live and breathe the game!

AV: Who's the best player you ever coached?

Coach Stark: That is a very tough question. I have had some very solid players at each position or category (scorer, defender, leader, rebounder, playmaker, etc.) and would have to say I could not single out just one. I know that is not answering your "best player" question but it's the "best I can do."

Some that could be considered would be Paul Mohr, Kal Bay, Jon Ziri, Duboise Williams, T.J Burke, Mycheal Broom, Andy Jones, Josh Todd, Gabe Sandoval and all the Padres that maybe were not as high-profile but were "best" in many aspects of our success! (Rusty Funk, Waylon Towns, Harrison Evens, L.J Jones, etc…) You hate to exclude so many names over the years so I will just state that there could be many more names added to mine and many a coaches list when asked this question.

AV: If you could pick any AZ high school to coach at (other than your current school), who would it be?

Coach Stark: A school in a retirement area would be ideal - when my kids are done with high school and I could just coach without teaching full-time while living in a nice smaller town! (Sedona, Prescott, Blue Ridge)

AV: What was your biggest mistake made in coaching? (game or player management)

Coach Stark: I'm sure any coach would have many mistakes while being scrutinized by others and in those individuals' opinions, but personally each of us as coaches can look back in hindsight and find many "mistakes" each season that we wish we could have back.

AV: If you couldn't coach basketball anymore, yet could coach another sport, what would it be?

Coach Stark: I currently coach tennis so I would continue with that.

AV: What should the role of parents be during their child's high school years?

Coach Stark: Let players play and coaches coach. Parents need to parent and give support and love their child no matter what the season may bring. Be there for them, guide them in the right way, let them learn from the experience of athletics (all that it brings), be realistic about where their game and skill set is, encourage work ethic, trust, hustle, and loyalty, being a good teammate and do all in your power that you can to help them reach whatever their goals may be.

AV: What are your policies for dealing with overbearing or meddling parents?

Coach Stark: I will always tell a parent that their kid is being cared for in our program. I will tell them why I make decisions and that while I value your view and communication, and you may not agree, there is always a reason for the staff's and my actions. I know that I sometimes am perceived as unapproachable because of my focus before and after a game (I will talk to you at times other than these) but come see me the next day and you will see and leave with my thoughts on whatever needs to be dealt with.

Again, let the players play and be coached without worrying about all of the ruckus in the crowd or certain individuals that take away the team concept or have tunnel vision with their own kid. The team comes first and outside meddling can chip away at the goals of the team.

AV: How do you balance playing time so that the entire roster feels included?

Coach Stark: I believe that every player has a role if they are on the team. Playing time is earned and when possible, situations come about in the game where these roles can be utilized and exhibited by the "role players." Communicating the value of all the players, even if they are not major minute players, and breeding a competitive environment that shows that these roles can constantly change with attitude, hustle, improved skill sets and game production, etc…...all bring a team concept that has players striving to not only "start" but increase their role that in the end, will help the team win.

AV: Would you describe yourself as an offensive-minded coach, defensive-minded, or a little of both?

Coach Stark: Both. We work hard on fundamentals both offensively and defensively. WE worry about ourselves and improving in all aspects of the game and trying to improve the weaknesses that we as a staff see - last year it was obviously help defense, rebounding, taking care of the ball and reducing turnovers. With the majority of the team back this year and with the same tough schedule these areas will be stressed from the get go!

AV: How have you been impacted by open enrollment and/or transfers?

Coach Stark: They will always be there. For every player you lose, another comes into the picture! It is the nature of the playground of high school athletics in today's society. I lost a solid player this year to Desert Vista but gained one from Mesa Mountain View. Parents and players sometimes believe the grass is always greener, but from 24 years of coaching it is NOT usually the case!

AV: How do you feel about players transferring into your program?

Coach Stark: We welcome them and let them know they need to get to work and learn to Padre Scrap.

AV: How do you balance listening to/implementing suggestions from your assistants to ensure that they feel their opinions are valued?

Coach Stark: In my early years as a head coach I was in the mode that I had to do everything myself. I now have learned to value the many views and positive suggestions and incorporate them. I remember as an assistant the excitement of when your opinion is listened to and seen on the court. That is what I hope for mine now as well.

AV: What approach do you take in "cutting" kids who didn't "pan-out" as anticipated, i.e. a junior (with potential) who played JV but as a senior would not get any playing time on your varsity team?

Coach Stark: It is the toughest part of the season that first Friday when those decisions must be made. Encouragement and possible alternate opportunities are discussed but we are always honest and open with the kid on why we made a certain decision involving them.

AV: Generally speaking, what do you like to get accomplished during the summer season?

Coach Stark: Build team unity, establish solid fundamentals and develop the kids and put them in some situations that foster the growth that we hope to see during the season. Oh, and still have some fun and keep the passion alive without burning them out.

AV: How do you feel about club ball programs?

Coach Stark: It can work if all of the coaches put the kids' best interest at heart and teach solid fundamental ball. They can complement each other by putting the kids in different types and styles of play that each of them bring to the table.

Many of the 26 or so kids that we've had play college ball were seen at major tourneys over the summer in club ball so that is a huge positive that club brings. Different roles for the kids with the different teams also broadens their range as a player and gives them an opportunity to learn and react and how to be "coached" by someone other than just one. Hopefully they will add another coach by making it to a college!