“I’m pretty excited about it. It’s a great school with really good kids,” Blankenship said.
The position opened after Roger Shepard resigned following the 2013-14 season.
Blankenship met with Union athletic director Cale Piland and decided to go for the job.
“I thought it would be a good fit,” Blankenship said.
Blankenship was the head coach of the Evergreen boys from the 2007-08 season through 2011-12, going 69-46. The Plainsmen reached the Class 4A state tournament’s first round — played at regional sites — in his final two seasons.
He does have experience coaching girls and women, too. He was an assistant with the girls program at Wilson High School in Portland and also was an assistant with the women’s program at Warner Pacific College.
Blankenship, a teacher at nearby Shahala Middle School, said he already knows many of the girls on the team. He also has a good vibe from his meetings with various Union school officials.
“I feel welcome over there,” he said. “It’s going to be fun.”
Making the transition easier, Blankenship said he has been in communication with the former coach.
Shepard resigned to spend more time as a dad. His three sons are getting older, and Shepard wants to watch them pursue their basketball dreams. There were too many conflicting dates on the boys and girls basketball schedules for Shepard to make it work as the head coach.
Piland said he was thrilled with Shepard’s performance.
Blankenship, 47, is the beneficiary of that work, calling himself “very blessed” to be taking over such a strong program.
“I know it’s been successful. Injuries slowed them last year, but there are six (varsity) players coming back and the JV program is strong,” Blankenship said. “I want to build on something that already is pretty good.”
Injuries and illness to some of Union’s top players — including BYU-bound Jessica Chatman, who was limited to two games — derailed this past season.
Union’s best season came in 2012-13 when the Titans went 18-9 and reached the Class 4A state tournament.
