Coach Corben Hyatt is the Head Football Coach at Summit High School in Bend, Oregon. He joined the Storm football staff in 2013 as the Offensive Line Coach and was promoted to Head Coach in 2017. Under his leadership, the program has achieved significant success, including leading the team to two state championships (notably in 2015—as an assistant and 2022 as head coach), a state runner-up finish in 2025, and consistent recognition for high team GPA in the state from 2014 onward. In 2025, he was named IMC All-League Coach of the Year. A former player himself, Coach Hyatt played football at McMinnville High School, Walla Walla Community College, and Western Oregon University. Beyond coaching, he serves as the Executive Director for The Office Group, a nonprofit that assists under-resourced students in preparing and organizing for college. 

In this conversation, Coach Corben Hyatt shares his journey into coaching, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, community involvement, character development, and much more. He discusses the challenges of coaching at the high school level, the significance of building relationships with players, and innovative strategies for team building and academic success. Coach Hyatt reflects on his experiences at Summit High School and the adversity early on that helped shape the program’s culture. He attributes much of his success to not only his players, but staff continuity and retention. Coach wants to create college-level experiences for his high school players. He emphasizes the significance of efficient practice structures, injury prevention, and the dynamics of team leadership. Summit’s team motto: One Way, The Right Way, Community, Classroom, and Field

Takeaways:

- Providing HS kids with College Experiences

- Playing Tough Teams Early – Motivation throughout offseason and Summer

- Heavy Emphasis on Scout Team Looks. The Separator 

- Player Retention through experiences, success and college placement

- Efficiency at Practice – How can we incentivize players

- Best Ability is Availability

- Everyone has a Role

- Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

- Advice to Young Coaches – Do it All!

- Team Academic Advisor / Mandatory Study Hall for B’s or Below

- Empowering Players: Leadership Council

- Player Led Committees: Team Bonding and Community

- What makes football unique?

- Head Coach as Special Teams Coach creates greater buy-in

- College Football Landscape and GMs

PC: Michael Nelson Photography

https://linktr.ee/The_Coachers_Podcast