McCutchen resigns as Red Hawk boys basketball coach

To Jared McCutchen, coaching the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School boys basketball team for the past six years has been about more than trying to win games.

McCutchen, who once donned the school’s jersey himself, announced last week that he is resigning from his post leading the basketball program at G-E-T. The coach noted the responsibilities of his administrative position at Blair-Taylor along with family commitments as reasons for his departure. 

McCutchen has been the Red Hawks’ head coach since the 2018-19 season and finishes with a career record of 76-67. He helped G-E-T win consecutive regional titles the last two seasons and reached a Division Three sectional championship game this winter.

He was also previously an assistant coach in the program.

“It’s been an unbelievable ride. I’m a G-E-T guy. I was born and raised in G-E-T,” McCutchen said. “I played basketball there in high school, so the district means a lot to me, and being able to see the program grow over the last 20 years is something that is unforgettable.”

He said the G-E-T basketball program has been “on the map” since Mark Wagner began coaching in the early 2000s. The community — or in the case of G-E-T, multiple communities — supports local students.

While most coaches say their teams are special, McCutchen said the unique makeup of G-E-T truly brings people together.

“It’s near and dear to my heart. I’m always going to be a G-E-T guy because I’m 40 years old and I’ve spent 40 years of my life here. … To build a successful program, it’s not just a head coach. It takes a village and I think the three communities together understand that. I think that’s why there’s been a lot of success at G-E-T not only in basketball but a lot of after-school activities. … It’s because the communities are tight-knit, and that’s what makes this place special.”

Assistant coaches Mark Bambenek, Ian Anderson and Scott Hovell deserve tons of credit for the way the team plays, the head coach said. He also credited his wife, Amy, and the rest of his family for their support in helping him lead young Red Hawks.

His assistants and players have become something like family, too.

While coaching great players and postseason success brought were exciting, McCutchen mentioned long road trips, team dinners, bleachers filled with fans and a constant sense of community as his favorite memories as head coach.

“You love to compete and you love the game and all that, but it’s a lot of the other things. You build relationships with these players and their families and those are life-lasting. I think that’s what I’m gonna miss the most is just some of those moments.”

McCutchen is excited to spend more time being a father cheering from the stands with his family, although he did admit with a laugh there is a chance he might consider coaching his daughters in youth basketball if they ask.

The future of G-E-T basketball looks bright as the youth program continues to improve and develop quality players over the past several years, McCutchen said, adding he believes the program is as strong as it has ever been.

Knowing the pipeline is strong and the program is in a good place made the now former coach’s decision a little bit easier. Preliminary numbers show that the high school program will boast nearly 50 players next season.

He called his departure a ‘See ya later’ more than a ‘Goodbye’ regarding his ties to basketball at G-E-T.

“I’m excited for the future,” McCutchen said.

“Whoever is lucky enough to get that job, I’m gonna help out as much as I can. ... I just want to keep seeing it grow. It means a lot to me, so I’ll probably be 90 years old before I decide to be done with helping the basketball program at G-E-T.”