Peninsula College sources

The Peninsula College men’s basketball program is not a secret.

Since head coach Lance Von Vogt stepped down to take the head job at William Jessup University last month, the college has been flooded with interest from across the nation in becoming his successor, college officials said.

“We have more than 25 applications in and there are some very high-caliber people in the group,” Peninsula College Athletic Director Rick Ross said.

“We’re not going to be able to replace Lance. He was an outstanding coach and a very positive spirit in our community, but I’m confident we’re going to follow him with another high-quality, high-character basketball coach.”

Peninsula College expects to announce its next basketball coach by the end of the month, Ross said.

The field of applicants includes coaches with NCAA Division I and II head coaching experience, community college head coaches, one high school head coach and assistant coaches from all levels desiring to move up.

While most of the field is from the Northwest, it includes applicants from Maryland, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, Montana and California, and one from Quebec.

“Lance’s success and his connections all over the West Coast helped put Peninsula College on the map,” Ross said.

With preference given to applications received by July 10, Jack Huls, vice president of Student Services, will chair a hiring committee that reviews those materials to narrow the field for interviews.

Peninsula’s men’s team has five returners and several top recruits awaiting the college’s decision on the next Pirate coach.

“I have reached out to our returners and recruits and I’m now more certain than ever that they will be in good hands, should they all decide to stay,” Ross said.