Shorewood running back Robert Banks runs the ball during football practice on Sept. 19, 2018, in Shoreline. (Olivia Vanni / Herald file)

Shorewood running back Robert Banks runs the ball during football practice on Sept. 19, 2018, in Shoreline. (Olivia Vanni / Herald file)

Shorewood hires new head football coach

Rob Petschl returns for his second stint as the Thunderbirds’ leader.

A familiar face is back to lead the football program at Shorewood High School.

Rob Petschl is returning to the school for his second stint as head coach, Shoreline Public Schools announced Friday.

“We are excited to have someone with Rob’s credentials and coaching experience,” the district said in a release. “… We know what we get with Rob, and we are confident he checks all the boxes to get Shorewood to a competitive level within WESCO and District 1. He came into the interview process with a plan and an excitement to be the leader of the Shorewood Football Program.”

Petschl previously led the Shorewood football team from 2010-2014, compiling a 12-38 record over five seasons. He spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at crosstown rival Shorecrest and was the defensive coordinator at Bishop Blanchet for five seasons before his first stint at Shorewood.

The Shorecrest defense vastly improved with Petschl as its coordinator. The Scots allowed 28.2 points per game over the three seasons prior to Petschl’s arrival. They allowed just 19.5 points per game under Petschl, including 8.4 points per game during the shortened five-game season earlier this year.

Petschl will be the defensive play-caller for the Thunderbirds during the upcoming season.

Petschl said he already has a strong familiarity with the Shorewood football team. His son and daughter are freshmen at Shorewood this school year and his younger son is a seventh-grader in the school district. He’s also coached many of the football team’s underclassmen while coaching youth sports in Shoreline, where he lives.

“When the job came up, it was a good way for me to stay involved with the community, keep coaching football and have the opportunity to coach my own kids, as well as their friends,” Petschl said. “So it was a great opportunity for me. The timing was perfect. I didn’t want to get out of coaching, but I was going to so I could watch (my kids) grow up and play sports, and now it fits in where I can do that within the same school.”

Petschl replaces Brandon Torrey, who led the Thunderbirds for the six seasons since Petschl’s departure following the 2014 season. Torrey went 13-41 in his tenure, including a huge turnaround in 2018 after the team opted to play an independent schedule in 2017 to help rebuild the program. Shorewood went 5-5 in 2018 — its first .500 season since at least 2003 — and made a Week 10 playoff matchup just two years removed from consecutive winless seasons.

“I’m very excited to be back in the community on the side of the district where my family is at, and it’s a great opportunity,” Petschl said. “I think Coach Torrey did a great job with those kids and I hope build on his success.”

Talk to us

More in Sports

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) walk off the field after an NFL football practice, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, team's facilities in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
How Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett has evolved on and off the field

The almost 31-year-old is fighting ‘old age,’ but don’t expect a drop in production anytime soon.

Collin Morikawa, hits to the 13th green during the first round of the Memorial golf tournament, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Commentary: PGA Tour merger with LIV a vile act of hypocrisy

The PGA is joining forces with its moral enemy whose presence has been constantly condemned by every Tour member with a soapbox.

Empty seats are shown at Husky Stadium during an NCAA college football game between Washington and Oregon State, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans were not permitted to attend the game. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
State football title games moving to Husky Stadium for ’23 season

The WIAA announced Tuesday a one-year agreement with the University of Washington to host the games for the upcoming season.

Giants pitcher Ryan Walker, an Arlington High School graduate, works against the Pirates during the sixth inning of a game on May 30 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Arlington graduate Walker reaches big leagues with Giants

The WSU alum was drafted in 2018 and has since climbed the minor-league ladder until his promotion to the majors on May 21.

Lake Stevens’ Cole Becker celebrates a touchdown with teammates after putting his team up against Kennedy Catholic in the WIAA 4A State Football Championship game Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
2022-23 Herald Athletic Cup: Lake Stevens captures 1st place

The Vikings win the competition, which rewards local high schools for their overall athletic success, for the second straight year.

X
Spring 2023 All-Wesco teams

Note: All-Wesco teams are chosen by the league’s coaches. For any misspellings… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) and safety Jamal Adams (33) talk during NFL football practice, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the team's facilities in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
5 things to watch during Seahawks’ mandatory minicamp

The camp is only three days long, but some clarity could arise on a number of issues.

X
AquaSox bullpen falters in 9th in loss to Canadians

Everett carries a two-run lead into the final inning, but a late grand slam lifts Vancouver to an 8-5 win.

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr., right, gets up after safely steals second base as Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford looks on during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in San Diego. Tatis Jr. advanced to third on the throwing error by catcher Cal Raleigh. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Kirby struggles, Mariners fall to Padres to split short series

The young righty gives up five runs and 11 hits in a season-low 3.2 innings as Seattle loses 10-3.

Most Read