Ed Pepple’s name became synonymous with high school basketball in Washington. Over the course of 44 seasons as a head coach, he built a legacy defined by consistency, excellence, and championships.

His career began at Fife High School in 1958, where he quickly turned the program into a contender, guiding the Trojans to a fourth-place state finish in 1962. After three years coaching the junior varsity at Meadowdale and a season leading the varsity at Mark Morris, Pepple found his long-term home at Mercer Island High School in 1968.

From the moment he arrived, success followed. He captured his first KingCo championship that year—one of 21 league titles his teams would ultimately win. Over 36 seasons at Mercer Island, Pepple guided the Islanders to four state championships, four additional runner-up finishes, and 26 state tournament appearances. His record of 872 wins against 262 losses stood as the most victories of any active head coach in the state, his 77 percent winning mark reflecting decades of sustained dominance.

Recognized far beyond his own community, Pepple was a seven-time Washington State Coach of the Year and was honored nationally by the National Association of Basketball Coaches as its 1997 Coach of the Year. In 2002, his achievements were further recognized with induction into the Puget Sound Sports Hall of Fame.

A lifelong educator, Pepple retired from teaching English and physical education in 1988, but his influence extended far beyond the classroom. Off the court, he enjoyed tennis and golf, yet his true legacy was written in the gymnasiums of Washington, where he shaped generations of athletes and set a standard for coaching excellence that few have matched.