Adam Gervis, who was the Mercer Island High School girls soccer coach for the past four seasons, resigned Feb. 3.

According to Craig Olson, the athletic director at MIHS, he accepted Gervis’ resignation after a discussion about Gervis’ coaching style and that it was partially based on comments and concerns that Olson had heard from parents and players.

“The bottom line is, I was basically forced out,” said Gervis. The coach said he was told by the school’s administration that players and parents were unhappy, but that he heard nothing during the season, or directly following it, about these concerns.

“No one said a word to me,” said Gervis. “No one, ever, not a child or parent.”

Olson said that from what he was being told by parents and students, soccer had not been a positive experience during the season, despite the results that the program was getting. Olson added that Gervis felt that the results he had accomplished, such as finishing second in state last year and winning the program’s first KingCo title since 2002, were proof that things were working.

Gervis said he felt unsupported by the school, and thought it was a shame that it had to come to this.

“There are great kids returning, and I wish them well,” said Gervis. “We had incredible success, and those girls will be imprinted on my heart. I will tell you that I would not want to be the person following in my footsteps.”

Gervis said he will take a break from coaching girls soccer for a while, likely until his daughter is old enough for him to coach, but that he will continue on as the boys head coach for Eastlake.

Olson said the school will begin looking for a new coach in early March for the upcoming fall season.