The Hudson’s Bay football program, coming off its first winning season since 2002, is in need of a head coach.
Mark Oliverio, who energized the program in his two seasons with the Eagles, told his players Monday that he was resigning due to a promotion from his company that will require him to relocate to Cincinnati, Ohio.
“Obviously emotional,” Oliverio said. “But I really feel like they understand.”
His high expectations for the Eagles will remain.
“They have had a taste of success. They are committed to putting the best foot forward and promoting the program,” Oliverio said. “I know they’re going to do great things.”
In fact, Oliverio said he was going to be a little jealous of whoever does take the job, who takes the Eagles to the next step.
Oliverio became Bay’s coach prior to the 2015 season. The Eagles had won five games total the five previous seasons. His team won two games in 2015 and then the Eagles went 5-4 this past fall, losing in a tiebreaker to miss out on a playoff berth.
“I love these kids,” the coach said.
“It’s a loss for Hudson’s Bay and the Hudson’s Bay community,” said Albert Alcantar, athletic director for Vancouver Public Schools. “He did such a great job building that trust among the kids, the parents, the school. Everybody bought in to what Mark was doing for the school.”
It was a culture change at Bay, Alcantar said.
Oliverio, while not a teacher, was constantly at the school during lunch hour, during weight training sessions. He attended other sporting events. Alcantar remembered seeing the weight room full of athletes this summer, boys and girls, working to get stronger.
“It wasn’t just about football,” Alcantar said. “It was about the whole Bay community.”
Alcantar said the position should be officially open soon, possibly as early as this week.
Oliverio says his successor should expect a positive atmosphere.
“The Vancouver School District and the administrations have been nothing but incredibly supportive,” Oliverio said. “I really do hope people see this as an attractive opportunity.
“There are some big pieces to work with here.”
