There are six new head coaches in Clark County high school football this season

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Editor’s note – In a five-part series, Clark County Today reporter Paul Valencia takes a look this week at new football coaches at Columbia River, Heritage, King’s Way Christian, Mountain View and Seton Catholic high schools

The first week of high school football practice can be a challenge for all coaches, even the most experienced ones.

There is a lot to coordinate, after all.

For new head coaches, that first week is a milestone, even if it is a little crazy.

There are six new head coaches in Clark County this year. Two have been head coaches before, while four got their first experiences of being in charge when the whistles blew for the first time, officially, for football practice.

Oh, most of the coaches have been working with their new players during the offseason workouts, spring and summer drills. But last Wednesday was the first official day of football practice. 

We visited all six new head coaches and their football programs last week. We also talked to a team leader from five of the schools. Here is an update on how things are going with the transitions at Columbia River, Heritage, King’s Way Christian, Mountain View, Seton Catholic and Union.

Mountain View Thunder

New coach: Aaron Hart

Of all the new head coaches in the region, Aaron Hart is the one with no roots in Clark County. He is still in the process of moving his family from the Seattle area. 

And just like that, boom, it’s football practice.

So, yes, Hart said that part of the change is chaotic.

“It’s still bumpy,” he said.

On the field, though, it is football, And it is all all about helping the Thunder become the best they can be in 2023.

“As far as the kids go, they are really getting to know me. As far as what we’re doing, we’re right on schedule,” Hart said Friday. “I feel good about the season. We’re doing great.”

Hart has no experience competing in the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League. He knows there are good teams in the league. He understands the challenges ahead for the Thunder. But he said he honestly does not look at a season in terms of winning a league title or not. 

“I treat every day like we’re trying to win a state championship,” Hart said. “That’s how we address it. The expectations I hold these guys to, and how accountable I hold them to, it’s like we’re marching to the state championship.”

Hart certainly holds his players accountable. He preaches doing the little things. He is not afraid to stop a drill to make sure all of the players are focused. And if they don’t get focused in a hurry, there are consequences.

“It’s been a breath of fresh air,” senior lineman Ayden Denbo said. “Last year, we had a lot of great coaches, but it got kind of lackadaisical. Coach Hart coming here has really knit things back together. I think it’s been a great thing for us.”

That is not meant to be a knock on last year’s staff. 

“Coach Math was great,” Denbo said of Adam Mathieson. “And Coach Hart is great at his own thing. Leadership. Teamwork. Discipline. It all creates one big culture that he’s trying to curate for us.”
Denbo said he loves how much confidence Hart has in the players, even though he has only known the players for a couple of months.

“Overall, I think we’re going to do good this year,” Denbo said.