She’s back: District apologizes, reinstates Gig Harbor girls hoops coach

Gig Harbor High School is one of three high schools in the Peninsula School District, along with Peninsula High School and choice school Henderson Bay High School.

(Julia Park)

Michele Hackett is back in.

Less than two weeks after the Gig Harbor High School girls basketball coach announced in an email to parents that she was being let go, the Peninsula School District has reversed course.

The district explained its reversal in a Monday afternoon email/ParentSquare post authored by Gig Harbor High School principal Bob Marshall and Peninsula School District athletic director Wendy Malich.

“The district would like to clarify that this decision to end Coach Hackett’s tenure was made without consulting district administration, and proper administrative protocols were not followed,” states the email, obtained by The News Tribune. “To be clear, Coach Hackett should never have been released from her contract in the first place. The district wholeheartedly supports her goals and the strong, positive culture she is building for our student athletes.”

The News Tribune attempted to reach Hackett for comment but had not heard back as of 8:10 p.m. Monday.

The News Tribune reported last week that Hackett met with Gig Harbor High School athletic director Blair Suek on April 23 and was notified that the “general consensus was that I wasn’t the best fit for this particular program and community” after postseason discussions with players.

After the announcements and The News Tribune’s reporting, the district said numerous athletes and parents contacted the district and the school to “overwhelmingly advocate” for Hackett to remain on board.

“District leadership met with Coach Hackett, and we are pleased to announce she has agreed to continue to lead our Girls Basketball program as the head varsity coach,” the email continues. “We sincerely apologize for the confusion, frustration, and concern this has caused Coach Hackett, her coaching staff, the athletes, families, and the broader community.”