PORT TOWNSEND — The Memorial Field sideline will be a lot less animated during high school football games this fall.
Nick Snyder confirmed Thursday that he has resigned as head coach of the Port Townsend Redhawks after four seasons in charge.
“After 24 years as either a high school head coach or coordinator, I just kind of want to spend some time with my family,” Snyder said.
“Or at least give it the old college try.
“I just felt like I spend 90 percent of my time consumed with football, and I owe it to my family who has supported me so well, to step away.
“We had some great successes, built some great relationships and coached a ton of great kids, but it’s just time to at least try something new.”
Snyder is deeply involved with something new, working to remodel a downtown Port Townsend storefront in order to open a baked goods shop with his wife Nikki and daughter Shenoa.
“We are starting a little small bakery downtown,” Snyder said.
“My wife is a really, really talented baker, and Shenoa won the culinary arts award last year, and was interested in attending culinary arts school, so we decided to start
the business.”
Snyder, 50, a 1984 Port Townsend alum, was in his second stint as head coach of the team following a successful run in the early 2000s.
Snyder took over in 2012 with Port Townsend on a 19-game losing streak and lacking a junior high program.
Constructed program
Under his watch, Snyder rebuilt the foundering Redhawks into a perennial playoff contender, racking up a 28-13 overall record in four seasons with three playoff appearances and two Olympic League 1A Division titles.
“I really appreciate Nick for everything he’s done for the program,” Port Townsend School District athletic director Scott Wilson said.
“We will miss his energy, and miss his positive affirmations. Nick was an immensely positive coach.”
Port Townsend rolled to a 10-1 record in 2015 that matched the school’s highest-ever win total and included the first state playoff appearance in 11 seasons.
He was selected as the Seattle Seahawks Coach of the Week by the Washington State Football Coaches Association last fall, earning a $500 grant for the program.
“I loved all the teams, but that first season we hadn’t really won a game in a few years, so winning that first game against Coupeville and having the team dogpile on the field to celebrate stopping the streak sticks with me,” Snyder said.
“And making it to the playoffs with my four-year senior class last season, a really tremendous group of kids.
“And every year it seemed like we got more explosive on offense and more punishing on defense.”
The Redhawks embodied that description in 2015, scoring more than 45 points per game and recording six shutouts on their way to allowing a stingy 5.6 points per game.
Team in good shape
Snyder believes the program is setup for success.
“I think it’s in tremendous shape,” Snyder said.
“The weight room workouts, 7 on 7 league this summer. And most importantly the kids understand what it takes to be successful, how many sacrifices you have to make to get there, and I can feel good about that.
“And there’s so much talent coming back. Some big holes to fill for sure, but plenty of talent.”
Port Townsend School District athletic director Scott Wilson said he tried to talk Snyder into one more year as head coach.
“We actually met a couple nights ago and I thought I had talked him into sticking around for another year,” Wilson said.
“But he’s decided to focus on his family and I certainly understand and commend that decision.”
The late timing of the decision, with the Redhawks in the middle of a week of spring football practices, puts Port Townsend behind in attracting a new head coach.
“It does put us in a late start here,” Wilson said.
“But we have a committed group of assistant coaches in Tom Webster, Rich Hill and Terry Khile who are continuing on, and the middle school coaches Noah Montoya and Brian Tracer are helping out when they can.
“The kids have a lot of committed adults supporting them.”
Wilson said that while he searches for a new head coach, the assistants will handle team activities during the summer.
“They want somebody to come in as head coach and lead, and they are totally supportive and involved in that process with me,” Wilson said.
“We have spring ball started, team camp at Linfield University from June 23-26, the summer passing league, and these guys are all committed to coaching these kids.
“We have 30 kids signed up and we expect more to come out before the fall.”
Wilson said he has posted the job online at tinyurl.com/PDN-PTHSFootball and at the popular football coaching website footballscoop.com.
“We looking for someone who is pro-active, a strong leader, somebody who can galvanize the team and the assistant coaches, and keep the program moving in the right direction,” Wilson said.
Chance of a return
Snyder didn’t rule out the possibility of a comeback at some point in the future.
“Once I get everything squared away and live my life a little bit, sure,” Snyder said.
“I’m only 50 years old. I have plenty of seasons left in me, but right now, there’s so much more to life than football, and I want to follow that path for a while.”
Wilson also said he doubts Snyder’s head coaching career is over for good.
“I think someday Nick will come back in some capacity for us,” Wilson said.
“He’ll still be an assistant with the wrestling team.
“He wont be too far away and we are thankful for that.”
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 57050 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
