April 27, 2005
Westwood High filled its vacant boys basketball coaching position Tuesday, hiring former East Valley assistant coach Shane Burcar, athletic director Thad Gates said.
Burcar has coached eight years overall and at all levels of high school in Arizona since the 1998-1999 season, his first of three under former Gilbert High coach Tom Bennett.
Burcar, 32, also coached at Mesa Community College for two seasons (2001-2002, 2002-2003) and was a varsity assistant for Mesa High coach Shawn Lynch for the state champion Jackrabbits in 2004.
‘‘I’m definitely excited about getting my first head coaching job,’’ Burcar said.
‘‘I’ll be coaching in what I believe is the best conference in the state. I want to build and not rebuild at Westwood. I don’t want to win in three years. It may be tough, but I want to win immediately.’’
Burcar left Mesa High after the 2004 season to become associate coach this past season with former Highland High coach John Burns at Fort Scott Junior College in Fort Scott, Kan.
Burcar replaces Kyle Ide, who resigned in February after seven seasons coaching the Warriors.
