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Fallen on hard times Once a proud and dominate force in the Rogue Valley, Phoenix High�s football program has become mediorce By Greg Stiles There was a time when Phoenix High football had few peers among Oregon�s midsized schools. From 1959 through 1985, the Pirates went to the playoffs 14 times, reached the state finals six times and came away with three champions and one co-title. Considering only district champions advanced to the state playoffs prior to 1978, that was no small feat. Phoenix existed on a plateau to which others aspired. In the past 15 years, however, the once proud program has fallen on hard times. Playoff appearances have diminished and the once-boisterous fan support has dwindled. "When I first took this job (in 1992)," says athletic director Pat Halpin, "we had 200 reserved seats in the stadium. Then I looked at how many we were selling, and I cut the number down to 100. Then about three years ago, I eliminated reserved seating all together. We sold eight reserved seats altogether, that�s how much interest has fallen off." Joe Hagler knew it was time for a change last fall when he resigned shortly after the Pirates� 2-7 season. Hagler had been head coach since 1992 and associated with the program for more then 30 years "I would like to stick with it and see something good happen because I�ve been a Pirate fan for 100 years," Hagler says. "But the chemistry isn�t right, and it would�ve been wrong for me to keep the position when things aren�t going in a positive direction." At this point, the future of Phoenix football rests in the hands of administrators, who will hire the next coach. The process won�t begin in earnest for another month. Superintendent Dave Willard says it�s not just a matter of identifying a coach to run the program. "Phoenix football has been on the slide," Willard says. "Football sets the tone for school spirit and community pride. I�m looking for somebody who knows how to win and, more important, someone who will continue to make it a positive experience for young people." When revered coach Jack Woodward retired after 26 seasons in 1974 with a 167-62-6 record, he was among the state�s all-time leaders in victories and winning percentage. Woodward won state championships in 1961 and 1963. In 1976, Ron Williams, who played on Woodward�s title teams, took the reins. Williams piloted the Pirates to state crowns in 1979 and 1985, with runner-up finishes in 1982 and 1984. Williams posted an 84-26 record in 10 seasons before leaving in the spring of 1986 to pursue an administrative career that culminated with a five-year stint as Crater High�s principal. In the 15 seasons since Williams� departure, the Pirates have reached the playoffs twice. Both Harry Mondale (26-28 in six seasons), who followed Williams, and Joe Hagler (32-49 in nine seasons), who succeeded Mondale in 1992, were proved able assistants to their predecessors and have been successful head coaches in other sports. Mondale is a legend among Oregon�s wrestling coaches with five state championships to his credit. Hagler guided the Pirates to the 1998 state baseball title. But neither had the Midas touch on the football field. "Phoenix has a history of winning," Willard says. "But I�m not sure in the last few years that the kids have believed that." Whether or not they believed they had a chance to win, they still turned out. "Numbers haven�t been a factor," Hagler says. "This year we started with 74 kids and finished in the mid-60s. Even in the glory years, we used to start in the 50s and end up in the high 40s." If there is trouble with numbers, Hagler says, it is with the number of coaches. "Back in the 1980s, there were seven, including the head coach," Hagler says. "By the time I became the head coach in 1992, there were four. When you have more than 70 kids, you have a hard time giving instruction with four guys. There are so many aspects: special teams, offensive backs, defensive backs, linemen, linebackers, outside linebackers. It�s impossible to break down all those things in two to two-and-a-half hours." Hagler admits he�s perplexed that Phoenix players have never really taken to the weight room like they have at Ashland or North Medford. "Some sports you can get away with it and still succeed," Hagler says. "I was on the staff when we won a state championship. I know who was in the weight room, and it was 12 or 15 kids at the most, and we could get by. "It doesn�t matter what offense or defense you run, if you�re getting pushed around, you�re going to get beat. I opened the weight room from 9-11 Monday, Wednesday and Friday and every evening last summer, and attendance was horrible. I think last season was an eye-opener for the kids." Hagler is determined his successor won�t have to fight that battle and even now is working with eight to 10 players. But don�t expect a new foreman on this reconstruction project any time soon. Willard points out that it�s not simply a matter of hiring the best coach available. His top priority will be replacing Halpin, who retires in June. Considering teaching openings are relatively rare, coupling the coaching and athletic director roles could prove a boon. What could be more attractive to an up-and-coming coach than an administrative position that would shelter him from riffing � or dismissal because of lack of seniority � a new teacher might face? "A lot of coaches go into administration, and running a district or a building is a lot like coaching a team," Willard says. "You need a lot of cooperation." But that doesn�t assure the jobs will be packaged. The athletic director, Willard says, will also be vice principal overseeing activities, attendance, curriculum and evaluating teachers. "We not only need a football coach," he says, "but we need a great administrator." Willard also points out that Phoenix will be in the market for a boys basketball coach when Tom Murphy ends his one-year interim stint. It�s conceivable a basketball coach could come in and serve as athletic director as well. Whether the new football coach is an administrator or classroom teacher, Hagler says, he figures to have a solid group of returnees with leadership skills. But neither administrators nor former coaches want to see a one-year wonder that fails to see the bigger picture. "It�s going to take somebody to get in there for a few years to get it going," Williams says. "You could have a good group and have some success next year. But we�re not talking about winning football games, we�re talking about a winning program, and there�s a lot of difference between the two." More than one booster has thought the Pirates could right the ship by bringing back Williams, who is now retired and still lives in Phoenix. "You can never go back and have everything the same as it was," Williams says. "I really enjoy coaching and really miss it. But I also enjoy hunting and fishing, and that�s something I haven�t had the chance to do. "One person asked me if I would take the job and I said, �If they move hunting season to March.� I don�t think they can get that done." So another hunt, one for a football coach who can return the Pirates to glory, is on. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.