Greg Wirtz attended Meadowdale Middle School and then Meadowdale High School upon which he graduated from in 1973. As with many kids back in the day, Greg was a multisport participant in football, baseball, and basketball. It was during his time at Meadowdale High School while playing junior varsity basketball under the tutelage of 2005 WIBCA Hall of Fame member, Roger Ottmar, that Greg started developing his passion for basketball and coaching. Greg’s competitive nature and high school successes allowed him to continue his athletic career at Western Washington University. While attending WWU, Greg had a
successful career on both the cross-country and track teams qualifying for the NAIA Nationals on five occasions. Upon graduating from WWU with a degree in Physical Education, Greg started a 40+ year teaching career in the Edmonds School District.
In 1978, Coach Ottmar brought on a young and eager Greg to assist with the Mountlake Terrace basketball program. This was the first year after the district levy failed so Greg was coaching out of passion for the game and to work under his mentor but with no salary to speak of. Greg would continue coaching in the Edmonds School District for what would become a 30+ year career at Mountlake Terrace and Meadowdale High Schools not only in basketball but also cross-country and track and field. It was with his first C-team at Mountlake Terrace High School in 1983 that he would mentor and take scouting a young 9th grader that would eventually become the head basketball coach at Mountlake Terrace High School and also 2018 WIBCA Hall of Fame member, Nalin Sood.
Greg then moved on from Mountlake Terrace and assumed the head basketball coaching position at Meadowdale High School from 1993 through 1997.
After his tenure at Meadowdale, Greg came back to Mountlake Terrace to coach under Coach Ottmar. It was during these years that Coach Ottmar’s successful defensive philosophy rubbed off on Greg in addition to his eye for details in practice, scouting and games. Coach Ottmar played a big role in Greg getting into coaching but then also setting the framework for Greg’s main philosophies as a coach over these many years. Upon Coach Ottmar’s retirement in 2000, Greg eventually came back to the Hawks to assist Coach Sood with the program. Greg’s experience, knowledge, and second-to-none ability to teach fundamentals have kept the Hawks program continuing to maintain the level of excellence that Coach Ottmar built.
Mountlake Terrace boys basketball has had only three coaches over the past 60 years and for the past 40+ Greg Wirtz has been the common thread to both Coach Ottmar and Coach Sood. During Greg’s tenure at Mountlake Terrace as an assistant coach, the Hawks have qualified for the state tournament 11 times.
Greg has two grown children, Marcie and Randy. Both of who have been very supportive to Greg during his coaching career and spent quite a few evenings in the gyms watching his teams play. Greg’s late father, Ray, also was Greg’s greatest supporter of his coaching endeavors, spending many afternoons and evenings year-round watching his son coach while making game and player observations that served of benefit to Greg. Ray’s loyalty to Greg and the Mountlake Terrace basketball was unparalleled.
Greg owes thanks to Coach Ottmar and Coach Sood for the many years of their coaching together but also the friendships that they all have forged that will carry over long after they all put their whistles away. Greg also would like to thank Ilene Wilson and her family for their unconditional friendship and support for many years. Lastly, coaching is more than just the X’s and O’s and the practices and games, it is about relationships. That is who Greg is, a relationship builder; he owes a sincere gratitude to his fellow co-coaches, Al Shannon, Tim Cashman, Johnny Phillips, Michole Mattix, Anthony Asbury, Blake Fernandez, Jesse Zerom, Luke Hammond, Michael Boxley and Adrian Blake for all the special and memorable times that only the career of coaching can bring. Greg is very appreciative to be honored with his induction to the WIBCA Hall of Fame.
