Monroe names Telford its new football coach

Published 11:12 pm Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Monroe community’s enthusiasm always impressed Dave Telford.

Several years ago, Telford was an assistant football coach at Stanwood High School, where he coached against Monroe, one of the Spartans’ division rivals.

In 2005, Monroe, playing on its home field, edged Stanwood in triple-overtime. One thing Telford remembers about the action-packed clash is the lively atmosphere generated by Monroe fans.

“I was really impressed with the energy in the stands,” Telford recalled. “Parents and students were into it.”

Now it’s Telford’s turn to fire up Bearcats fans.

Telford is Monroe High’s new head football coach. Previously a veteran coach at the college level, he accepted the job Tuesday, Monroe athletic director Brett Wille said.

Telford was offensive coordinator at Portland State University for four seasons before resigning for family reasons in 2005. He replaces former Monroe football coach Steve Hannan, who led the Bearcats program to a record of 9-21 in three seasons. In November, Hannan was told his coaching contract would not be renewed.

Once a quarterback at Stanwood High and Fresno State University, Telford is the son of former Stanwood football coach Phil Telford.

Dave Telford, who graduated from Stanwood in 1984, said he’s excited to back in the area.

“I think that it is a great opportunity,” said the 41-year-old, who was a Stanwood assistant in 2005 and 2006.

Last school year, Telford was an assistant coach at Havelock High in North Carolina. But Telford, a single parent, said the change was hard on his young son. So, Telford returned to Western Washington, where his mother and brother live.

Wille, Monroe’s athletic director, has high hopes for Telford, who coached three seasons at Eastern Washington University before going to Portland State.

“We’re really excited. I think he’s going to be awesome,” said Wille. “He wants to stay here for a long time. He just has a clear vision for where he wants the program to go.”

Monroe was winless (0-10) in 2007. Hurt by injuries to some key players, the Bearcats were outscored 314-78.

Despite facing what appears to be a big challenge, Telford is confident.

“It’s pretty simple. On offense, we’re going to score. On defense, we’re going to get the ball back,” he said.

Telford hasn’t met with players yet. He said he hopes to do that sometime next week.

Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.