As a first-time head football coach, Dennis Herling already had plenty on his plate before the novel coronavirus hit.
Herling, named Seton Catholic’s coach in March, had a staff to hire, new offensive and defensive schemes to install, and connections to make with kids in-building.
The staff is in place, Xs and Os is on pause, and those connections with kids are now done through phone calls, emails and through virtual communication platforms since mid-March.
“The most challenging part has been not having that face-to-face interaction that we all thrive off of,” Herling said. “For a lot of people, myself included, we don’t realize how important that is in our day-to-day lives until it’s gone.
“It’s so vital for us as adults, and especially as coaches, to have that personal connection, but for the kids, too.”
In any other year, this week would’ve been the start of out-of-season practices for football teams across Washington with 20 off-season practices through July 31.
Instead, it’s a waiting game. Schools and facilities statewide continue to remain closed through June 19, by the order of Gov. Jay Inslee. So for now, coaches like Herling turn to computer screens to connect with their teams, such as Seton’s Catholic meet-and-greet with players and coaches Monday over Zoom.
The WIAA continues to follow government-mandated and health department guidelines for when activities may resume. Executive Director Mick Hoffman said Friday the association is developing a return-to-play participation plan to be reviewed by the State Department of Health. This comes after the National Federation of State High School Association released a 16-page document giving the WIAA and other state associations how to open up activities and athletics for member schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Tuesday, Clark County continues to be in Phase 1 of Gov. Inslee’s 4-phase statewide reopening plan. Phase 3 is when outdoor groups and recreation sports of 50 of fewer people are allowed.
At defending Class 4A champion Camas, longtime coach Jon Eagle knows when schools are cleared to begin summer practices, his Papermakers will be ready. Players are keeping Eagle continues to connect with players, who keep their coach abreast of their at-home workouts.
“They’ve witnessed what it was supposed to look like last year,” he said, referring to an off-season that led to an unbeaten 2019 campaign, “and have really done a great job. … Nobody knows what is going to happen. Our mantra has been ‘better to be safe than sorry.’ If we end up playing and you haven’t been ready thinking we don’t play, then you won’t be very happy with yourself.
“We’re hoping for the best.”
Back when Eagle first became a head football coach in 1989 at Evergreen, the high school football experience didn’t include 7 on 7 passing leagues, team camps or how the WIAA mandates off-season practices like it does today.
But even amid a pandemic, Eagle said, off-season work is very telling as the waiting game continues.
“I have a feeling most of them are doing the right thing,” Eagle said of his players at Camas. “All around the state, I think you’re going to find the most dedicated kids are going to show through.”
