The worst kept secret in the Southwest Washington high school football is no longer a secret.
Adam Mathieson, the athletic director at Mountain View, is searching for a replacement for Adam Mathieson, who just happened to be the Thunder’s football coach the past five seasons.
Mathieson addressed his players last month, but he did not want to go on record until now.
“It’s a good opportunity for me to step back and be in more of a supportive role (for football),” said Mathieson, who will remain the school’s AD.
“I’m not planning on going anywhere,” he said. “I plan to watch the current players grow.”
Mountain View went 30-19 in the five seasons under Mathieson and made the postseason in each of the past three seasons. The Thunder reached the Class 3A state playoffs in 2011 and finished with an 8-3 record.
Mathieson said that it seemed for all these years that he and his staff were always rebuilding after losing a quality senior class. But next year’s team will return a number of key players.
Mathieson said it was important to make sure whoever takes over will have a strong foundation already built.
He called the structure of the organization sound.
“The gear, the inventory, on-campus coaches, the way we do grade checks, our community outreach,” Mathieson said. “Once you have all those systems in place, football almost takes care of itself.”
When Mathieson took over the Thunder, there were two coaches on campus. Now, there are eight.
“And they’re great teachers,” Mathieson said. “These are teachers who are also great football people.”
Mathieson also is looking forward to spending more time with his growing family.
He and his wife Jenny have two daughters: Avery 6, and Ayliah, 3.
“They need some quality dad time,” Mathieson said. “That’s important.”
The football job was posted a couple of weeks ago. Mathieson already has heard from several coaches interested in the position. He said he hopes to conduct interviews by late January and have a decision in February.
