He paced in front of his players, like he had done so many times through the years in his pre-game speeches.
On Tuesday, though, his voice cracked a couple times as he tried to find the perfect words to say goodbye.
After 22 seasons as Columbia River football’s head coach, and 16 before that as an assistant with the program, John O’Rourke is calling it a career.
It was a career full of accomplishments: The Chieftains won nine league titles and went 154-77 in his tenure. In 2002, Columbia River played in the Tacoma Dome in the Class 3A state semifinals.
His record, though, was never his priority.
“The relationship with the players is the most important thing,” O’Rourke said.
That was his philosophy decades ago. Still is today.
“We tell the kids when football ends, the relationships with the coaches don’t end,” O’Rourke said.
Now, it is O’Rourke who is seeing football come to an end, at least in an official capacity.
He called current and former assistant coaches over the past week, then broke the news to his players after school Tuesday.
“He’s a guy I look up to. I hope I can have an impact on as many young adults as he has,” senior Garrett McKee said. “He’s a legend.”
O’Rourke listed age, health, travel opportunities and being a grandparent as reasons for his decision.
He said he is in good health at the age of 70. “I’m hoping to stay that way,” he said with a smile.
The responsibilities of being a head coach have changed so much in the 22 years. It is now a year-round job, and he wanted to make sure the Columbia River program has a head coach who can maintain that level of energy.
He started considering retirement back in August, then was “99 percent” certain by the end of the season. The Chieftains went 6-5 in 2015, winning the 3A Greater St. Helens League title as well as a state preliminary round playoff game, a memorable 60-55 victory over Capital.
O’Rourke, though, did not want to be a distraction for a series of post-season events, including the team’s banquet and the school’s Hall of Fame ceremony. So he held off with his announcement until now.
“We wish Coach O’Rourke the best in his retirement, and we recognize what his retirement means for the team as well as the school,” the Columbia River administration said in a statement. “John’s experience and leadership with CR and its community both on and off the playing field cannot be replicated. Coach O’Rourke will continue his leadership as a mentor for young coaches at CR and throughout the district.”
McKee, who played quarterback for O’Rourke’s final team, said the players received notice to meet after school. There was talk about what it could be about, but it was still a little surprising to actually hear him say he was retiring.
“He had a great career. I’m glad we got him his 150th win this season,” McKee said. “He definitely had a major impact on this school.”
The players gave O’Rourke a standing ovation, then serenaded him with the school’s fight song.
It was moments like that one that kept O’Rourke coaching for so long, he said.
“I really like the connections you make with the players,” O’Rourke said. “I had a lot of positive experiences in the classroom as a teacher. But the depth and intensity of the relationship with the players is one of the most important reasons why you give up, sacrifice, a lot of family time. Most of the memories are not losses and victories. That’s the glue that holds you and keeps you coming back.”
Former assistant coach and longtime friend Tom Boyle was also at O’Rourke’s announcement.
“He cares about kids more than any coach I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve worked with a lot of coaches,” Boyle said. “They always came first. Before any victories or streaks, his kids came first.”
Of course, there were plenty of memories that had everything to do with the games.
His first year as a head coach, he lost a five-overtime game against Mountain View.
There was a homecoming game when the officials did not show.
His team played in the Emerald City Kickoff Classic in what is now CenturyLink Field in Seattle. His team played at Memorial Stadium, in the shadow of the Space Needle.
One of his biggest wins came at Kelso in 1997, with River kicking a field goal in the closing seconds for a 30-28 victory for the league title. That win proved that a Vancouver team could win in Kelso. Up until then, it was a house of horror for Clark County squads.
Then, of course, there was the Skyview game of 2013. You know, that one. The Storm block the field goal on the final play of the game, celebrated what they thought was a victory, but Columbia River scooped up the loose ball and ran into the end zone of the ESPN-worthy finish.
Now that his career is over, he took a moment to consider what Columbia River football has meant to him.
“It’s the opportunity to experience unity and loyalty,” he said.
John O’Rourke was loyal to the program for 38 seasons, the last 22 as head coach.
Note: Family and friends set up a web page for anyone wanting to leave comments and well wishes. Go to: coachorourke.net.
John O’Rourke notes
9 league titles: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2012, 2014, and 2015.
16 postseason appearances
19 winning seasons
71 players went on to play college football
47 years coaching in Vancouver Public Schools (wrestling, track and field, and football), five at junior high school, 42 at Columbia River.
Inducted into Washington State Coaches Hall of Fame in 2012.
