Veteran Whitman-Hanson Regional High two-sport head coach Jenna Olem announced yesterday she will not be returning to the school for the upcoming softball campaign and is done coaching the girls’ basketball team as well.
“I am almost overwhelmed from everything I learned from so many different people, about coaching, about relationships, about life,” Olem wrote in a tweet. “Although my time coaching at W-H has come to an end, I am confident I will take all of these experiences with me.”
The reason for her departure can only be speculated, but W-H athletic director Bob Rodgers told the Express she resigned yesterday.
“We appreciate everything Jenna has done for our school, and I enjoyed watching her grow as a coach during her time at Whitman-Hanson,” Rodgers said.
Olem took the reins of both the girls’ basketball and softball teams in the 2013 school year. She had the softball team in the tournament that year, and took the basketball team to the playoffs the following season. Overall, she compiled 120 wins combined as the coach of both sports.
This past season was perhaps her best yet at the helm of the basketball team, taking a team that lost league all-star, co-captain and starting point guard Erin Leahy 15 minutes into the first practice and going 12-10 on the season. The Panthers entered the tournament as the 11 seed and hung with sixth-seeded Mansfield, before falling 45-41.
W-H played the roll of underdog often during Olem’s tenure, but always seemed to thrive. In 2015, her softball team stunned Bridgewater-Raynham (18-2 at the time), 4-1, in the first round.
Coaches from all around took to Twitter in the wake of Olem’s departure:
The Patriot League has lost a great coach, it was a pleasure to coach against you and in our ranks. You will be missed, good luck on your next journey! https://t.co/1DlA4bQKnm
— Brian Fisher (@coachfish235) March 7, 2019
Jenna did a fantastic job, especially this season when her leading scorer was lost for the year on the first day of practice. Her kids play hard for her and that team achieved all year long.
— BRGirlsBasketball (@BRgirlshoops) March 7, 2019
Coach Olem started coaching at WH when I did. We learned a lot together and I am glad to call her a friend. She worked hard for every team she coached, esp behind the scenes. Good luck, coach. You will do great wherever you go.
— Rowell (@Coach_Rowell55) March 6, 2019
@joboo116 Definition of adversity-a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune
Ex:showing courage in the face of adversity!You’ve never backed down from it before now is no different.Nvr a question of your commitment or passion #chip #ship TY 4 Everything— Paul Scarpelli (@CoachScarps) March 6, 2019
The softball season gets underway in less than two weeks.