Newsie News: Checking In With Anchor-Free Kevin Coari

Tuesday, 20 July 2010 10:27 | Written by Byron

ANCHOR AWAY: Kevin Coari has left the building. The FOX12 building that is.

Coari's last outing as the anchor of that Portland-based station's weekend 10 pm newscasts was last Sunday night. That's when Coari signed off with a hearty good-bye and his trademark grin right before the end of the broadcast. But Kevin didn't indicate what he would be up to next or that he was planning to leave the broadcast biz (for now). I contacted the just-turned 35-year-old (his birthday was last Friday) who was on vacation, but more than willing to answer my questions. Here's what he had to say.

Byron Beck: Can you share a little background about yourself. Where did you grow up and when did you know you wanted to become a news dude?

Kevin Coari: I grew up in Walnut Creek California just outside San Francisco. I'm a person who always knew what I wanted to do. At about 12, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in news. In fact in high school I interned at our local paper...The Contra Costa Times. Then it was off to the University of Oregon. I got a BA in Journalism. During college I interned at KMTR, E Entertainment Television (Steve Kmetko was their anchor at the time. Remember him?) and a couple of radio stations. I got a job as a production assistant at KMTR in my final year at U of O. I ripped scripts, ran camera and teleprompter. My first "on air" job was at KPVI in Pocatello, Idaho. I spent a year there. I did everything under the sun....reporting, anchoring, weather, producing. Then I went to KIVI in Boise Idaho. I was there for about four years. I met my wife in Boise. She's not in the business which is one thing that attracted me to her! I started at KPTV (FOX12) in January 2003. So my span at FOX12 was about 7 and a half years.

What attracted you to broadcast business?

That's pretty simple; It's very exciting. TV news puts you in the middle of current events. At times, you witness history first hand (...I went to New Orleans for Hurrican Katrina coverage). It's a huge adrenaline rush.

So why did I leave?

After 14 years I was just kind of burnt out. It was time to make a change and try something new. I'm headed to a local company that supplies golf courses with various materials...scorecards, benches, t-signs, ball washers (insert joke here). I have no idea whether I'll go back to news. I'm a big believer in the 'never say never' philosophy.

Worst part of being a television news guy?

That's easy...having to wear makeup. I hate it. So I guess I'll land a gig at Darcelle's. Oh well.

Best part?

That's tough. Probably my trip to Africa (I went there last summer to profile a Portland group doing outreach work). That's the thing about news...it allows you to witness extraordinary events, meet extraordinary people, go to amazing places. And it's considered "work".

Final thoughts?

I mean this sincerely....I truly consider it a pleasure to have worked with so many talented people. And I'm not just talking about my FOX12 colleagues. All the other TV reporters/anchors, radio reporters/DJs and print reporters. It is an experience I will look back on fondly.

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