4.“Who, or what, do you see as your main competition next season?”
"Our league has always been a strong football conference. Lynden, Burlington and Mt. Vernon were very good last year and I expect them all to be tough again."

5."What has been your most defining moment as a head football coach?"
"Obviously winning a state championship in 2005 was an incredible experience, but the year before we played Bellevue in the state title and were behind 24-7 at half and were able to battle back and make it a heck of a game. I was extremely proud of our team for our effort and determination after falling so far behind such a great team. You always learn more about yourself and your team when facing adversity."

6."What was the most rewarding event of last season?"
"We were very young last year, only two starters returning from the year before and were able to have a successful season making it to the quarter-finals and having a 10-0 record in the regular season."

7.“What is the hardest part of coaching?”
"Having a senior in your program that has been with you for four years and just isn’t quite good enough to play as much as he or you would like. You really root for those guys to have success and it is hard when you have to let them know they won’t be a starter."

8.“Who do you consider to be your role model?”
Birger Solberg. Head coach at Sehome when I started coaching who passed away from cancer about 9 years ago. He was an incredible man who I learned so much from, not just football, but how to live life and be a great role model for young people. He gave me my foundation in coaching and was a great example of what I want our program to be like."

9.“What is your favorite hobby outside of sports?”
Golf, although I am usually glad when football season rolls around so I don’t have to play anymore. Golf is a very humbling game.

10.“Do you have a pre-game routine, and if so, what is it?”
"I think most coaches are pretty superstitious and I am no different. Since I have been at Ferndale I have the same routine before every game. I go out to pre-game dinner with one of my assistants at Babe’s Restaurant and have the same meal every time. The only time we varied where we went we ended up losing that game, so it won’t happen again."

Bonus question: "What do you want your players to walk away from your program with?"
"Accountability. I think it is one of the great lessons sports teaches and specifically, football. Most players struggle with being accountable for mistakes or failures when they enter our program. Since every game is filmed and broken down by coaches, it is hard to make a mistake without being corrected. I start every Monday meeting telling our players that we love them, but you will probably be criticized at some point during the meeting. It is up to them to handle it correctly, learn from it and get better. I think that is a tremendous life lesson to take out in the world with you. All of us make mistakes or fail at something. It is how we handle it that separates those who are successful in what they do."