Jeff Altchech announced Monday that he’s stepping down from his position as the Issaquah boys head basketball coach.

“After a lucky 13 years of coaching high school boys basketball it is time for me to move on,” Altchech told parents and athletes, in a letter. ” This has been an extremely difficult decision for me to make but as the landscape of high school sports continues to evolve the time required to be a head varsity coach has become close to a full-time, year-around job.”

Altchech was first involved with Issaquah from 1999-2003 when he served as an assistant to Jeff Patrick. He then took over the head coaching job at Bellevue High School, until joining back up with Patrick as an assistant in 2006. Altchech replaced for Patrick in 2008.

The Eagles finished the 2009-2010 season with a 6-14 overall record, and in last place of the KingCo Crest. Altchech led the Eagles to the KingCo 4A playoffs in his first season at the helm. He ends his two-year career as the IHS head coach with a 19-24 overall record.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be part of the Issaquah High School sports community and I have had the pleasure of working with so many great young men that have gone on to achieve great things in their life beyond sports,” Altchech said.

Altchech says he doesn’t have any immediate plans to get back into the game. He said he plans to take at least one or two years off, then assess where things are with his business and family.

Issaquah Athletic Director Michael Bailey said the school hopes to fill the position prior to the end of the school year, no later than mid-June.