Pisano let go from Yuma High

After years of worrying about basketball in the summer, former Yuma High coach Louie Pisano is enjoying a summer off.

Let go by Yuma High at the end of the school year as boys basketball coach, Pisano is still teaching - now at San Luis - but isn't coaching boys basketball.

"I used to do the tournaments with the kids and travel every summer, then I did my own tournament at Yuma High, and we always had our kids in the men's league," Pisano said. "It's been nice to sit back and not have to run around."

Pisano said he's looking forward to a similar role in the winter - that of spectator.

"Maybe I'll sit in the stands and criticize everybody and tell them what mistakes they're making like they used to tell me," Pisano said with a laugh. "I figure if I go in the stands, I'll never make a mistake as long as I'm up there."

Pisano said that the Yuma High had to let go of a current coach, and it ended up being him. Yuma High athletic director Mike Sharp did not return messages left by the Yuma Sun.

The Criminals started the year hot, but the senior-laden team cooled off near the end, eventually losing the region crown to Kofa.

"When I had this group of kids last year, I was really thinking about getting out after that year," Pisano said. "If I could save my job and not make a move, I'd have stayed and coached another year, but even after I told them that they decided to let me go anyway."

Pisano said he was offered the chance to assist new San Luis basketball coach Guillermo Flores, but turned it down. He said he wasn't sure if he'll get back into coaching again.

"I never say never because anything could happen," said Pisano, who coached at Kofa before going to Yuma. "Other positions can open up, I can move - I just don't know what I'm going to do right now. I've had opportunities other places and help other coaches even at San Luis, but I decided the break would be the best thing."