Q&A with Tahoma HS football coach Zach Myers
MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. — During a recent conversation with Tahoma High School Athletic Director, Mike Hansen, he expressed how excited he was about the new Head Football Coach, Zach Myers, and the upcoming season. Mike also indicated that he thought Coach Myers would have a lasting impact on the student-athletes, as well as the community. And expressed a desire for the community to learn about the new coach. So, what better way to learn about Coach Myers than a simple Q&A session.
鈥�Tahoma Football lost a great Head Coach last spring in Tony Davis.聽 After an extensive search and interview process, we believe Zach Myers is the right person to lead us into the future as a highly competitive NPSL-4A football team.聽 It has been exciting to work with Zach and see what he has done over the summer.聽 I, personally, cannot wait to see the team take the field on September 2nd.鈥� – Mike Hansen, Athletic Director
Position with the team/club:
Zach Myers:聽Head Football coach at Tahoma High School.
How long have you been coaching?
Myers:聽I have been coaching since 2010. My career began at Skyline High School as a Freshman coach for three years. At that point, I was promoted to varsity offensive line. I coached offensive line at Skyline until 2018, when I took over the safety position and coordinated special teams. After the 2018 season, I moved from Skyline to Eastlake High School. For three seasons from 2019-2021, I coached offensive line and later running backs. After the 2021 season, the Tahoma head coaching position opened and I decided to apply, and when offered the job I happily accepted!
What is your background in this sport?
Myers:聽My football experience began in 4th grade when I played youth football in Puyallup. I played all my youth and junior high football in Puyallup. I played my sophomore year of high school at Puyallup High School, after which I moved to Sammamish and finished my high school career at Skyline High School. I was fortunate enough to play collegiately at both Central Washington University and Western Washington University. Including my coaching experience, I have been involved with football for a total of 29 seasons.
What are one or two things that the team does in training that are keys to their success?
Myers:聽The players have demonstrated terrific effort over the spring and summer. One of our team covenants is 鈥淓ffort Over Everything,鈥� and the guys have certainly been striving to live this covenant. We went to team camp after practice in the spring, and since the end of camp, the players have been putting in great work in the weight room and conditioning in preparation for the 2022 season.
Please describe the most memorable games/tournaments/championships your team has won.
Myers:聽My favorite memory as a coach so far at Tahoma has been watching our players compete in camp and put in work in the weight room. It has been a lot of fun to watch them develop and encourage each other over the last couple of months.
How do you encourage the team after a disappointing loss?
Myers:聽Our focus after a tough loss will be on two things. First, we won鈥檛 ever waste a loss, we will use it as an opportunity to learn and improve ourselves as individuals and our team in preparation for future competitions. Second, we will focus on the concept that sports are a microcosm of real life and focus on the idea that an unfortunate reality of life is adversity. We will seek to grow ourselves through the challenging moments, understanding that they make us a stronger, better people overall.
Describe your proudest coaching moment.
Myers:聽My favorite thing about coaching is watching young people grow and develop into strong confident adults.
What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from being a coach?
Myers:聽My biggest life lesson as a coach has been learning that all people have an opportunity to impact each other. Coaches impact players, but players have just as big of an impact on the coaches with whom they work. Athletics, like life, is about developing meaningful relationships that positively impact the people. It is a privilege to grow with players.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?
Myers:聽My hope is that the Tahoma High School football program positively impacts all players, families, coaches, and community members who come into contact with it.
Anything else you’d like to add:
Myers:聽Over the course of my many seasons as a player and coach, I was fortunate to work with many wonderful mentors who grew my skills and confidence. I always hoped to lead a program one day when I was ready, and as a Maple Valley resident, the Tahoma head coach job was the one I always had my eye on. The day I was offered the position was one of the greatest joys of my life and I can鈥檛 wait to grow with this program.
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