Coach Keith Terry is the head football coach at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma, Washington. A proud alumnus of the school, Coach Terry has deep roots with the T-Birds, having returned to the program as an assistant coach in 2020 before being promoted to head coach in 2022. With over 15 years of high school coaching experience, Coach Terry has focused on rebuilding the Mount Tahoma football program by setting a high standard, adding alum to the coaching staff, and getting the community involved. He emphasizes creating an environment where young men become "uncommon" in their approach to life and football. His leadership has earned recognition, including being named Seattle Seahawks Coach of the Week in 2025. Under Coach Terry's guidance, the T-Birds ended a long playoff drought in 2023 and advanced to the state quarterfinals in consecutive years (2023 and 2024), marking the first such achievement in over 40 years. In the 2025 season, Mount Tahoma went undefeated in the regular season, won the 3A Puget Sound League title, and made a historic playoff run. They reached the WIAA Class 3A state championship game for the first time since 1980 falling to O'Dea in a close 21-14 contest at Husky Stadium. Despite the loss, the 2025 campaign is widely regarded as a defining moment, and setting the stage for future success. 

In this episode of The Coachers Podcast, Coach Terry shares his journey from a young coach to leading a high school program that has seen significant success. He discusses the importance of leadership, setting high standards, and the impact of football as a tool for personal development and molding young men. The conversation also delves into building team culture, fostering community involvement, and the challenges of coaching. Coach Terry emphasizes the need for intentionality in coaching and the importance of being a role model for young athletes. When asked his Why? Coach answered with the response of “Be Life Changing”. This was an inspiring conversation, and it was evident that Coach Terry is in it for all the right reasons! Thank you once again Coach, keep continuing to “Raise The Standard”.

Takeaways:

Football is a tool that opens doors for young men.

Creating a standard is essential for success.

Hold Coaches and Players to same Standard.

Leadership is about motivating both players and staff.

The best ability is availability; keeping players healthy is crucial.

Building a strong community around the program enhances team cohesion.

Vulnerability among players fosters deeper connections.

Why is Football the Greatest Sport?

Intentionality in coaching leads to better outcomes for players.

Every opportunity in coaching is a chance to learn and grow.

Coaching is about helping kids grow beyond the field.

Aim to be Uncommon.

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In this episode of The Coachers Podcast, Keanu Yamamoto interviews Coach Emma Vaughan, the Head Track and Field Coach at Central Catholic HS in Portland, Oregon. Coach Vaughan shares her journey as dedicated coach, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, community, and personal growth in athletics. She discusses the unique challenges of coaching high school athletes, the significance of being present in schools, and the need for tailored coaching approaches for different athletes. The conversation also delves into the metrics of success in track and field, combating performance anxiety, and the strategies for fostering a positive and engaging environment. Coach Vaughan's insights highlight the evolving nature of coaching and the importance of building trust and cohesion within teams. Her why: Is to help others find their greatness, and her love for competition.  

Takeaways

-The Difference between Greatness and Excellence.

-Lean in with Curiosity, rather than Suspicion 

-The Purpose of Sport

-What Makes Track Unique

-Coaching is about supporting athletes in finding their greatness.

-Understanding neurodiversity helps tailor coaching approaches.

-Creating a fun and engaging environment is crucial for athlete retention.

-Empowering athletes through shared leadership fosters team cohesion.

-Performance anxiety can be addressed through preparation and mindset.

-Metrics of success should include personal improvement, not just winning.

-Coaching requires adapting to the unique needs of each athlete. 

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This episode is for the Aspiring Coach, The Coach that’s trying to climb the ladder, The Coach who faces the internal conflict between Family and Career.  

Coach Charlie Hall is the Head Football Coach at Phoenix High School in Phoenix, Oregon. He was hired in January 2023 to lead the program, bringing over 40 years of extensive coaching experience across high school and college levels. Coach Hall previously served as head coach at Southern Oregon University (SOU Raiders, NAIA) from 2017 to 2022, where he compiled a 25-19 record, won a Frontier Conference championship, earned Frontier Conference Coach of the Year honors, and guided the team to the NAIA national semifinals in 2017. Before that, he had a highly successful 12-year stint as head coach at nearby Ashland High School (2005–2016), posting a 91-41 record with four conference titles, nine playoff appearances, and a trip to the Oregon Class 5A state championship game in 2015. He also contributed to Ashland's 1998 state championship as an assistant. His career includes college roles such as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Northern Arizona University (2001–2005), where he was named American Football Monthly NCAA Division IAA Offensive Coordinator of the Year in 2003, along with other assistant positions at universities like Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, and North Texas. Coach Hall, who began his coaching journey with ties to Southern Oregon also teaches health/PE at the school. He is active in community initiatives, such as organizing aspects of the Pacific Rim Bowl for cultural exchange in football.

In this episode of the Coachers Podcast Coach Hall shares his extensive coaching journey, beginning with his early influences and the importance of family support. He discusses the challenges of coaching at the collegiate and high school level, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding in working with young athletes. Coach Hall elaborates on his coaching philosophy, which centers around building relationships and creating a culture of care among players. He reflects on the unique challenges faced in high school coaching, particularly regarding player retention and commitment. Throughout the conversation, Coach Hall highlights the bonds formed through football and the lasting impact of mentorship in the lives of young athletes.

Takeaways:

-Coaching Carousel and Climbing the Coaching Ladder

-The Crossroads of Family and Career 

-Being a positive Role Model on Campus and Impacting everyday students

-The challenges of Coaching

-Transactional vs Transformational Coach

-The impact of the late Coach Dave Mitchell

-Culture of Love and Care among players to foster teamwork.

-Transitioning between College levels and the HS level

-The importance of understanding players' backgrounds and challenges they face outside of football.

-Player Retention, Coaching Retention, and Player Commitment 

-The need for compassion and flexibility in coaching high school athletes.

-Football creates lifelong bonds and connections among teammates.

-The essence of football lies in the relationships built through shared experiences.

-The One Formation Challenge

PC: Southern Oregon University Athletics

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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

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In this episode of the Coachers Podcast, host Keanu Yamamoto interviews Coach Aaron Hazel, head football coach at Nelson High School in Oregon. They discuss Coach Hazel's journey in coaching, the challenges of building a football program from scratch, and the importance of establishing a positive team culture. Coach Hazel shares insights on leadership, the significance of feedback, and the role of gratitude in fostering a supportive environment for players. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of football as a sport and some innovative techniques that can enhance coaching effectiveness.

Coach Hazel became the program's inaugural head coach when the school opened in 2021, taking on the challenge of building a new football team from the ground up in the competitive 6A Mt. Hood Conference. Prior to Nelson, Coach Hazel served as head coach at La Salle Catholic College Prep (where he also played quarterback) compiling a 27-35 record over nine years. Prior to La Salle he assisted at Skyview High School in Vancouver, WA.

Under his leadership, the Hawks have shown steady progress. In 2025—the program's fifth season—Coach Hazel guided Nelson to its first 10-win season and Semi-Final appearance, earning recognition as a candidate for Oregon high school football Coach of the Year and sharing Mt. Hood Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors. Coach Hazel teaches College and Career Readiness at the school. He also serves as the Head Softball Coach and is the announcer for Basketball games. 

Takeaways:

- Challenges of building a program from the ground up

- Coaching is about Inspiring and Making an Impact

- Feedback should be continuous, not just at the end of the season.

- Core Values: Extreme Ownership, Power of the Team, Passion for Growth

- Pistos: The Act of Belief

- Post Practice: Teammates Highlighting Teammates

- Culture: Define It! It’s Intentional or it’s Default

- Event + Response = Outcome (E+R=O)

- Kids want to fit in and then stand out where they fit in

- Navigating Recruiting Challenges

- Off Season Program: Point system to hold players accountable

- The Power of Gratitude

- One Formation Challenge

- Changes in High School Football

- Handling a Loss: “What If”

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In this episode of The Coachers Podcast, Coach Adam Mathieson shares his journey as a high school football coach, discussing the importance of building relationships with players, the psychological aspects of sports, and the role of competition in personal development. He emphasizes a coaching philosophy centered around love, preparation, and competition, and highlights the significance of community involvement in fostering a successful football program. Coach Mathieson also delves into practice structure, staff integration, and the metrics that matter in coaching, providing valuable insights for aspiring coaches and sports enthusiasts. He shares insights on player development, and the significance of building strong relationships with players. The discussion also covers the challenges of addressing academic and mental health issues, the dynamics of winning and losing, and the qualities that make an effective coach. Coach Mathieson highlights the need for shared leadership within teams and the importance of creating an environment for players to maximize their potential.

Coach Adam Mathieson is the Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator at Camas High School in Camas, Washington, where he leads the Papermakers program. A veteran coach with over 25+ years of experience in the Pacific Northwest. He was hired as Camas's head coach in January 2024, after serving as an offensive assistant with the team in 2023. Prior to Camas, he spent 15 seasons (2008–2022) as head coach and athletic director at Mountain View High School in Vancouver, Washington, where he became the program's all-time winningest head coach. His earlier stops include head coach at Ferndale High School (2003), where he coached future NFL quarterback Jake Locker; athletic director and assistant coach at Meridian High School (2006), helping them win a 1A state championship; and QB coach at Division II Western Washington University (2004–2005).Under Coach Mathieson's leadership, teams have reached the postseason 12 times, secured eight league championships, and achieved four top-5 state finishes. In his first full season at Camas in 2024, the Papermakers went 13-1 and reached the state championship game. In 2024, Coach Mathieson was awarded the GSHL 4A Coach of the Year and the Seattle Seahawks High School Football Coach of the Year. 

Takeaways:

- Why is Football the Greatest Sport?

- Sports psychology & the mental aspect of the game

- Competition teaches valuable life lessons.

- L.P.C. – Love, Prepare, Compete

- Coaches are in the “Kids Business”

- How to Scaffold and Install your Offense

- Vertical Integration w/ youth program.

- Our job is to Inspire kids to reach the Top

- Destination People vs Journey People

- Coaches and Athletes alike are stakeholders of the program

- Football is the “Front Porch” of a School and a great unifier of the community

 -Transformational coaching impacts lives beyond the field.

 - What is your Program’s North Star

- If you want to be great at something – Measure it

- You get what you emphasize

- Practice structure should align with team identity.

- 3-Dimensional Coaching

- “Winning Ain't Easy”

- Effective coaches must build strong relationships with their players.

- Connect and create an environment kids want to be a part of

- Shared leadership within teams enhances accountability and performance.

Photo Credit: Seahawks Community

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In this episode of The Coachers Podcast, host Keanu Yamamoto sits down with Dan Stephens, the Women's Head Beach Volleyball Coach at Corban University. They discuss Coach Stephens' unique journey from a concrete contractor to a successful volleyball coach, highlighting the importance of passion and dedication in both sports and life. Coach Stephens shares insights into his coaching philosophy, emphasizing the significance of creating a fun and competitive environment for his players while also focusing on their personal growth and development. He reflects on the challenges of transitioning from indoor to beach volleyball and the importance of communication and teamwork in fostering a strong team culture.

Throughout the conversation, Coach Stephens elaborates on specific drills and strategies he employs to prepare his athletes for high-pressure situations, such as the continuation drill, which helps players make quick decisions under fatigue. He also discusses the importance of building trust and camaraderie within the team, sharing anecdotes about coaching his daughter and the lessons learned along the way. The episode concludes with Coach Stephens offering valuable advice for aspiring coaches, emphasizing the need for open communication and the importance of not being more emotionally invested in the game than the players themselves. 

Coach Stephens joined the program as a primary assistant coach from its inaugural season in 2020, contributing to major milestones including the NAIA National Championship in 2022 and National Runner-Up finishes in subsequent years. Under his leadership as head coach, the Warriors have maintained their status as a national powerhouse, consistently reaching the NAIA National Invitational semifinals and finals, securing multiple Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) titles, and earning accolades like CCC Coach of the Year.

Takeaways:

"I want my players to leave the program wanting to play."

"Teaching them that competing hard and training hard is fun."

"Don't be more emotionally involved in a match than the players are willing to be."

"The best motivator is that bench or that seat next to you."

"You need to learn to take coaching and process the information without emotion."

"Building trust and communication is key to a successful team."

"I want coaches that are passionate about helping the developing players."

"You can play beach volleyball for life; it's a great activity."

"I want players who love the game and are self-motivated."

Photo Cred: Corban Athletics

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In this episode of The Coachers Podcast, Keanu Yamamoto interviews Coach Jordan Harlow, the head baseball coach at Linfield University. They discuss Coach Harlow's journey from high school coaching to leading a college program, his coaching philosophy, the challenges of modern coaching, and the importance of character in recruitment. Coach Harlow emphasizes the significance of teamwork, mental toughness, and the evolving landscape of baseball, including the impact of analytics and the NIL era. He shares insights on effective communication, handling player slumps, and the brand of baseball at Linfield. Coach Harlow believes in the significance of teaching players to be their own best coaches and respecting the game and those who came before you.  Coach also shares insights on off-season training, scouting reports, and the importance of maintaining a positive team culture. The conversation concludes with discussions on lifelong learning and book recommendations for coaches.

Takeaways

- Help Players become their own Best Coaches

- You can’t hold a player accountable for something they haven’t been taught

- Base Running is like Special Teams in Football - Both get overlooked

- 3 Pillars: Tradition, Toughness, Team First

- Respect the game and it will respect you back

- Recruiting: What do we look for in a prospect (LKGs)

- Win the Freebie War

- The Game within the Game and what makes Baseball unique

- Coaching is about continuous learning and adaptation.

- 6 Tool Player: Availability 

- Help teach your players to compartmentalize their life.

- Empower assistants to be masters of their domain

- Meetings should be structured and purposeful.

Photo Credit: Linfield Athletics

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Coach Jon Eagle is a highly accomplished football coach with over 40 years of experience in high school and college coaching. Originally from Vancouver, Washington, he built a legendary career in the Pacific Northwest, compiling an impressive overall head coaching record of  278-77 across 34 seasons. Eagle’s head coaching journey included stints at Evergreen High School (Vancouver, WA: 88-39 from 1988-2001), Redmond High School (WA: 18-12 from 2002-04), and Camas High School (WA: 127-22 from 2008-20), where he led the Papermakers to Washington state titles in 2016 and 2019. After a brief assistant role at Portland State University in 2021, he took the helm at West Linn High School (Oregon) in 2022. As the Lions' most recent head coach (2022-2025), Eagle guided West Linn to a remarkable 45-4 record over four seasons, capturing Oregon 6A state championships in 2022 and 2024. His 2025 season, announced as his final one, ended with an 11-1 record and a tough semifinal loss. Eagle retired after the 2025 campaign, passing the program to successor Anthony Newman.

In this conversation, Coach Jon Eagle shares his extensive coaching journey, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with players, adapting coaching strategies, and fostering a strong team culture. He discusses his coaching philosophy, the significance of leadership, and how success is defined beyond just winning games. Coach Eagle also reflects on the evolution of football and the cyclical nature of the sport, while providing insights into effective communication and player development. 

Takeaways

- Good Coaches see what’s on the field, The best Coaches see what’s off the field

- Transitioning a program: Define Pushback

- Practice Structure: First Things First

- Communicate the Vision and Staff alignment

- “Blind Spots” Transparency and communication within the staff

- Continuous learning and adaptation are vital in coaching.

- 1 Formation Challenge and Scheme Philosophy

- We want to create coaches on the field

- Daily goals: Don’t focus on the peak

- “The Whole is a sum of its parts”

- Leadership involves empowering coaches and players alike.

- Creating a fun and structured environment is key to player engagement.

- Success is defined by relationships, not just wins.

- A successful coach must adapt their strategies over time.

Photo Cred: Camas-Washougal Post Record

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In this episode, Coach Steve Pyne shares his extensive coaching journey, highlighting the importance of building relationships, developing players, and fostering a strong team culture. He discusses the qualities he seeks in assistant coaches, and the balance between developing athletes and coaches. Coach Pyne emphasizes the significance of trust, compassion, and empathy in coaching, as well as the need for innovative strategies and drills to engage players. He reflects on the challenges of making tough decisions and the evolution of his leadership style, as well as focusing on the selfless pursuit of a common goal within a team. Coach Pyne currently serves as the Head Football Coach at Union HS, in Vancouver, WA. Prior to Union, he was a long time Head Coach at Central Catholic (OR), where they won 5x state titles and 14x conference titles.

Takeaways

·      Coaches establish the culture, players run the culture

·      Tell your players you love them – encourage vulnerability. 

·      The Twin Thieves – Fear of Failure & Fear of Judgement

·      Coaching is about building relationships and impacting lives.

·      Success is measured not just by wins, but by the growth of players.

·      “Kids First, Wins Second"

·      Team culture thrives on selflessness and mutual support.

·      Assistant coaches should embody the mission and vision of the program.

·      Establishing trust with assistants allows for effective delegation in coaching.

·      Innovative drills can energize practice and foster competition.

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