After serving as the head coach of the Mercer Island High School (MIHS) varsity football squad for five years, Ed Slezinger stepped down from his position last month.
The coach finished his MIHS career with a 22-21 record that included a run through the state playoffs in 2017 — losing to eventual champion O’Dea — and a multitude of battles with stellar opponents in the 3A KingCo Conference.
“Very simply, I am taking some time away from the field for family and myself. There have been a lot of life changes in the last four years and both my daughter and I have had some healing to do,” Slezinger said. “In light of my need to address some remaining struggles with the loss of my son, to spend additional time with my 9-year-old daughter (also a Type 1 diabetic), and to feel positive about the state of Mercer Island football, it was time for me to step away for the benefit of all.”
Slezinger — known as “Coach Sledge” — is proud that his team maintained a grade-point average of 3.17 during his tenure, which featured four full seasons and a truncated 2020 campaign, which was played in the spring of 2021 due to the pandemic. Sports teams returned to full fall seasons that year.
A host of student-athletes who have honed their skills with Slezinger at the helm have continued their football careers in college at Idaho, Vanderbilt, Azusa Pacific, Chadron State and Harvard. Current seniors Garrett Rogan will play at Villanova, Brett Fitzwilson is headed to Macalester College and Chase Shavey will play at either Air Force or the Merchant Marine Academy, according to the coach. Cole Drayton and Jackson Durner’s future schools are to be determined and Choate Academy attendee Derek Osman will play at Harvard.
Talented players who will continue to shine with MIHS, according to Slezinger, are Vince Catano, Samir Lumba, Spencer Kornblum, Luke Myklebust, Ryan Boyle, Elan Gotel, Quinn Shavey, Aidan Cartmel and Griffin King.
“Where my time at Mercer Island has come to a close as a coach and staff member, I have an appreciation for the community, the student-athletes, families, and school administration and will certainly be cheering from the sidelines for their future success,” he said.
Slezinger was a head and positional coach for 26 years on the college, high school and youth sports levels, according to the MIHS football program website. In his football playing days, he suited up as a fullback, linebacker and guard for high school, college and semi-pro squads. In high school, he went the multi-sport route on the football, baseball and wrestling teams.
The Mercer Island School District has been accepting MIHS head football coach applications since Feb. 11 and more information can be found at https://tinyurl.com/aakhe7se.
“We are looking for someone who is motivating, inspiring, communicative and organized,” reads part of the job description page.
