A new chapter awaits one of the most successful basketball coaches in the Northwest.
Jim Roffler has decided to retire from coaching after 26 years as the head men’s coach at Lower Columbia College. Roffler leaves a legacy where he led the Red Devils to a record of 546-241, a 71% winning percentage.
“I’d like to thank all of my former players and coaches who worked so hard to put a product on the court that the community could be proud of,” said Roffler. “I would also like to thank my bosses Gary Earnest and Kirc Roland for their incredible support.”
Roffler led the Red Devils to NWAC championships in 2004 and 2005, and just missed a third straight with an overtime loss in the 2006 title game. The 11 straight wins in the NWAC tournament is a record that may hold for some time.
“I’m happy for Jim. He has given his heart and soul to Lower Columbia College as a player and coach,” said athletic director Kirc Roland.
“Jim cares deeply about the success of the team and the players, and not just on the court,” said Roland. “He is an old-school coach who demanded that his players played basketball the right way.”
Roffler was honored as the West Region Coach of the Year 12 times and his teams won 11 region titles. He was the NWAC Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2005. His Red Devil teams made the NWAC tournament 21 times in his 26 seasons.
His Red Devil teams not only made the tournament, but they brought home two championships, three 2nd places, two 3rd place trophies and one 4th, 5th and 6th place finishes each.
Coach Roffler also sent 82 players to the next level and many became coaches themselves.
As a player at LCC, Roffler gave everything he had every night and it was plenty. His intense defensive style and playmaking made him a fan favorite at Myklebust Gym.
Roffler interrupted his college playing career to coach the LCC women’s team for two successful seasons before returning to college to finish up playing at the University of Alaska-Juneau. He then got his degree at Eastern Washington University.
Roffler will also step down as the Myklebust Gymnasium manager and look to begin a new phase of life.
“I would also like to thank all the support staff who made Red Devil basketball the best in the Northwest,” said Roffler. “Our fans are incredible, the best in the NWAC. Finally, I could not have done this for 26 years without the sacrifices of my wife Elizabeth and my sons J.J and Jared which I am very grateful.”
Assistant coach Allan Brown has been named the interim head coach and he will handle the duties of recruiting during our search for a new head coach.
