5 minute read
From Freshmen to Seniors
COACH RYAN KNOWLES SEES FIRST GROUP GO THROUGH FOUR YEARS OF HIS PROGRAM
BY COLIN ANDERSON
or Ryan Knowles, the game of football has taken him many
Fdifferent places. His love of the game started with his first flag football games in the third grade and blossomed at Sandpoint High School. He played for the Vandals at the University of Idaho and, after his playing days were over, wanted to continue to be part of the game as a coach. Short stints in Seattle and Spokane, back to Moscow for a year, and eventually he landed a role at Colgate University in New York, where his team won four league championships during his 12-year tenure as an assistant. While many would springboard this success into a head coaching job at the college level or assistant job at the FBS level, Ryan would instead make the move back to Sandpoint, where his love of the game all started. “We thought about it for a good two weeks; it was a hard decision,” he recalled. “Now, every day, I continue to realize that we made the right decision.”
While being back in the community he loves with family and friends close by is of great importance, being the leader of his team is something he takes equal pride in. Coach Knowles enters his fourth season at the helm. The seniors on this team are the first to go through all four years of the program he is continually working to establish and perfect. When he first got the job, Ryan admitted there was a steep learning curve, having not been a head coach in years, but he has also relished the opportunity to have a bigger impact on his players. “At the college level, they are already young men and know the game. Here, we are introducing some players to it, and we get the chance to actually shape, mold and create football players. It’s awesome to see the progression as players and as young men.”
Under Coach Knowles’ leadership and that of his experienced staff, the team has seen improvement each of the past three seasons, with large goals being checked off last season, and bigger goals set for this fall. A big emphasis in the program is showing up to the weight room, and not just during the season. “The off-season is four times longer than the football season. This is where you prove to your teammates that you
The staff encourages its players to participate in multiple sports throughout the year (Coach Knowles is also a track coach) but wants all participants to remember that to be part of the Bulldog football program is a year-round commitment. Building a close-knit team ensures not only lasting relationships and trust, but accountability from the players. “If you skip a few reps, you might fool a coach a time or two, but you can’t hide your effort from your teammates, and then how will they think of you?” he tells his players.
While Ryan takes the responsibility of the program seriously, he enables his staff to do their jobs without micromanaging. With many coaches having decades of experience to lean on, Ryan can put his trust in them to get the job done in the film room, on the practice field, game time, and with the maturation of his players. The same goes for the players. If they behave as young men, they are given the responsibilities and treatment they deserve.
While becoming a perennial playoff team and state title contender is the ultimate goal, having a positive impact in shaping players’ lives is of equal importance to Coach Knowles and his staff. “When we have a worry, one in five times is about a win or a loss, the other four out of five times it’s about a kid’s well-being and making the right decisions for their future.”
The staff preaches discipline, commitment to teammates, personal responsibility and hard work to its players. If they follow these lessons whenever their football careers end, they will be prepared for the adversity life throws at them once they go off on their own.
Another factor that made it easier for Coach Knowles to make the return to Sandpoint was the support from the community he knew he would find upon his return. “The support truly couldn’t be much better, from the financial donations, to the team moms, the volunteer hours committed, it’s just amazing. I need to continue to earn that support by showing this community that I am all in on this program as well.”
Indeed, having a small North Idaho community so involved in its football program isn’t something you’ll find a lot of other places. Coach Knowles makes sure his players are aware of just what a unique situation they have here. “I hammer home to them, ‘You realize someone just gave you a donation or they came out to support you.’ I teach humility and want them to really understand what’s being done for them.”
Throughout the year you’ll find the football team helping out in the community as well. They’ve assisted with setup at The Festival at Sandpoint and at the fairgrounds as well as the Long Bridge Swim. Other projects might be of smaller nature, but the Bulldogs are always trying to give back and say thank you to the community that shows such immense support for them.
Last season’s win over Hillcrest in the playoffs has raised the expectations for this team and the program’s future. “Guys in the locker room are saying, ‘We are going to win state’ instead of ‘Let’s try and get to state’, which is exciting,” said Knowles. Indeed, a tough path lies ahead of them to achieve their goal, but it’s a place that Coach Knowles and his staff want to be each and every year.
“I thoroughly enjoy trying to make this the best program in the country. I want to be the best at everything: equipment, preparation, travel. Let’s find a way to be better at every level of the program.”
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