Video: Matchup - Camas vs. Skyview, 2016
See highlights of Jon Eagle's team in action last season.We love unique high school mascots. The Papermakers is definitely another good one!
Camas (Wash.) is home of the Papermakers and the 14-0 state champion football team. Head coach Jon Eagle led the program to the No. 1 spot in the state in 2016, and 22nd nationally. It was Eagle's first undefeated season at Camas, although he boasts a very impressive 95-14 record since 2008. His fewest wins in a season at Camas is 6; that was his first season.
For the last seven seasons, the program is averaging nearly 12 wins per year. How has he built such a dominant program? Let's take a look.
1. What does your program do differently from others in your league, conference or state that helped you win a state championship? We tell our players that 95 percent of the state's programs will do basically the same thing. What separates teams is their willingness to go the extra mile and pay attention to the finer points of the game. Culture is a trending term, but I would say this is why our players are willing to go the extra mile. We define culture as our willingness to do things that others won't do. What we find normal, others find abnormal. Pushback is defined as kids resisting culture change - "We've never done this before."
2. What do you consider to be the most important aspect of your state championship?
Camas coach Jon Eagle
Photo by Vince Miller
Strong senior leadership led the way.
3. What is one piece of advice that you would give to a coach wanting to win a state championship?It's about the process. Fine-tune that piece first.
4. Do you incorporate some type of character development program within your program? We use John Wooden's Pyramid of Success principles. We go through most of it during the season; we usually focus on one item each week. Our defensive line coach, also a local pastor, chooses timely ones. He changes them up year to year.
5. Do you incorporate some type of leadership development within your program? We have very informal senior meetings to teach leadership.
6. What is the No. 1 obstacle you face in building a championship-caliber program in your community? Getting our school to hire quality teacher/coaches.
7. Who do you consider to be your main mentor in this profession and what about that coach do you try to emulate in your program? Ad Rutschman, Mike Riley, Gary Mires, Craig Howard and Chip Kelly.
Chris Fore is a veteran Head Football Coach and Athletic Director from Southern California. He consults coaches and programs nationwide through his business Eight Laces Consulting.
