Jesse Ainsworth spent five years learning under Marshfield basketball coach Doug Miles. Now Ainsworth is replacing Miles, who stepped down after the season to spend more time with his family.

“It’s really exciting — just the opportunity,” said Ainsworth.

Through his work as the junior varsity coach with the Pirates, Ainsworth has earned a solid reputation and the respect of his players, Marshfield athletic director Greg Mulkey said.

“He’s had a great deal of success,” Mulkey said. “He’s another guy that eats, breathes and lives basketball.”

Ainsworth graduated from Marshfield in 1998. He played basketball at Chemeketa Community College and would have played at Eastern Oregon University as well, but was derailed by his third serious injury — the first two ended his senior season with the Pirates and his first year at Chemeketa.

After college, he became a contractor, and he now teaches the construction program at Marshfield.

“Mulkey has given me a great opportunity,” he said. “I understand I’m pretty young to be a head coach in the best Class 5A league in Oregon.”

Ainsworth’s teams won the Midwestern League JV title twice and finished third two other years. Many of those players supported him for the head job.

“They’ve all played for me at one time,” he said. “Every one of them went in and told Mulkey they wanted me as their head coach. When that happens, you feel good.”

“He’s had tremendous rapport with the kids,” Mulkey said. “He had a good relationship with them.”

Ainsworth also was touched by support from several parents.

And he got the endorsement of Miles.

“Jesse can do a great job,” Miles said. “He brings a lot of energy. I’m glad he got the job.

“He’s ready to be a head coach. X’s and O’s wise, he’s outstanding. He’s got everything he needs except experience.”

Now Ainsworth looks forward to proving he’s ready for the head job, starting with an ambitious summer basketball schedule and a lot of open gym times for the players.

“I’ve never been afraid of doing extra work,” he said. “I hope I don’t burn the kids out.”

Ainsworth feels he’s getting the head job at a good time.

“I think we have a great opportunity next year,” he said. “We’ve got some great kids.”

Varsity players Adam Porter, Jordan Shepherd and Kyle Tedder return, along with many of Ainsworth’s JV players.

“The league is down,” Ainsworth said, mentioning how graduation will hit a lot of the other teams hard. “I think it’s ripe for the taking. It’s our time to get back in the playoffs.”

He is quick to credit Miles with helping him mature as a coach.

“Doug has done a great job,” Ainsworth said. “I couldn’t ask for a better mentor. He’s been amazing to me.

“His knowledge of the game is beyond what anybody realizes. I’ve spent five years working elbow to elbow with him and going to camps with the guy. He knows the game. He has an incredible IQ for basketball. I couldn’t ask for anybody better to mentor me.”

Ainsworth plans to continue learning from Miles, and has talked to him many times since Mulkey offered him the job.

“His support has been amazing,” Ainsworth said. “It’s great for me. I have someone to bounce things off of.”

Miles, too, enjoys that interaction.

“He’s really keeping me involved, and that’s good,” Miles said.

Ainsworth also will start with a familiar staff. His older brother, Justin, will be his assistant, just as Justin was for Miles. Josh Line, Jesse’s best friend, will continue as freshman coach.

“I couldn’t ask for a better staff,” he said.

Miles, meanwhile, will get to enjoy time with his family after spending the long winters away from home too much. He is completing his education for his new position as a school counselor, which requires classes each Wednesday night in Eugene. He often had road trips to Eugene for games on Tuesday nights, as well.

“I’d tuck my kids in on Monday and wouldn’t see them again until Thursday morning,” he said.