Lynnwood High School has tapped an assistant to take over as the head coach of its football team.
Adam Fermstad, 24, was hired to succeed former coach Mike Don, who accepted teaching and head football coach positions at Brewster (Wash.) High School. Don coached the Royals for two years.
Fermstad worked primarily with the wide receivers and defensive backs as an assistant coach under Don last season. The 2006 Inglemoor High School graduate said he thought his familiarity with the players and the program was a major factor in the school’s decision to hire him.
“I think it’s important to continue the path we’ve been going,” Fermstad said. “They’ve been making strides in recent years.”
The Royals were 1-9 in Don’s first season and improved to 3-7 last year.
Fermstad currently is studying geology at the University of Washington and after he receives his degree, he plans to get his teaching certification. He sees coaching and teaching as an end game as far as his career goes.
“I’ve always known I’ve wanted to coach and to be a head coach,” Fermstad said. “I am lucky to be a head coach at a young age.”
Prior to joining Lynnwood’s coaching staff, Fermstad spent five years with the Seattle Seahawks where he helped the assistant coaches with day-to-day activities and drills at practice.
“It was an opportunity to be around elite coaches and learn from them,” Fermstad said. “It was hands-on experience with NFL coaches.”
Don was more of a defensive-minded coach, and Fermstad appreciated being able to learn more about coaching the defense under his predecessor. Fermstad played quarterback at Inglemoor under long-time coach Frank Naish.
“Last year, our defense really took strides in being aggressive and getting to the ball,” Fermstad said. “The big thing working with Mike is he was defensive-minded. I could see how a proper defense should be. It really helped.”
Lynnwood returns plenty of experience this coming season, including one of the state’s top recruits in senior-to-be lineman Andrew Basham. Also coming back are sophomore WR/LB Andrew Katzenberger, junior RB/LB David Vo and junior RB/DB Hunter Lord.
“We graduated a couple of starters,” Fermstad said. “It’s a pretty young team. We’re returning a lot of talented guys. We have quite a few returning starters. That’s big.”
Fermstad has been working with players in the weight room this spring and likes what he’s seen from the team.
“They’re ready to step up and keep the program the way it has been going,” he said.
Lynnwood is moving from the 3A classification to 4A in the fall.
“I’m looking forward to that,” Fermstad said. “It’ll be nice to get a new challenge.”
The coaching staff has remained largely intact with only a couple of departures.
“It remains the same,” Fermstad said. “We’re all on the same page as far as where we want to take the program.”
The Royals have gone through a string of coaches in recent years. Fermstad is the fifth head coach since 2006. He is hoping to put down some roots.
“I’m here at Lynnwood as long as they’ll have me,” Fermstad said.
MV hires new coach
The Mount Vernon football team, which will join Wesco next season, hired former Coupeville head coach Jay Silver as its next head coach.
Pending school board approval, Jay Silver, a special education teacher at Mount Vernon High School, will take over for Jaxon Schweikert, who resigned in February.
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