Steele returns to coach Hockinson football

Rick Steele started the Hockinson football program.

After a year off, he is ready to get back to the Hockinson football program.

Hockinson has officially named Steele its head football coach. Again.

“I didn’t want him to leave in the first place,” said Hockinson principal and athletic director Brian Lehner. “I was happy with the work he did before.”

Steele, who started the program in 2004, had to walk away from the job last year when he received a promotion from his work that changed his work hours. Now, back to shift work and more flexibility with his schedule, he was in position to try to coach again.

Steele will take over for Brian Schott, who coached the Hawks for one season.

When the job opened, Steele asked if there was any interest in his return.

“I guess they wanted me back,” Steele said.

Lehner said there were three finalists for the position. Steele, popular with the athletes and parents from his previous nine seasons with the Hawks, was the pick.

The Hawks went 0-7 in Steele’s first year, playing a varsity schedule with sophomores and freshmen.

By the third year, Hockinson won a share of the 2A Greater St. Helens League title.

The Hawks would go on to win three league titles in Steele’s nine seasons, with five regular seasons with winning records.

Steele said it will mean a lot to him to be on the Hockinson sideline again.

“Any time you start a program from scratch, you have a special place in your heart for it,” Steele said.

He attended many of the games last year.

“It killed me sitting in the stands,” he said. “It was hard.”

He helped coach youth football, but it was not the same.

“Friday nights were just hell,” he said. “I’m just excited this opportunity came back up and it worked out for me.”

Steele has met with his players and has seen them work out in the weight room.

“They seem to be excited that I’m back,” Steele said. “It feels good to be back.”