As a first-time head coach in his first season at a new school, Dennis Herling is ready for the unique challenge that lies ahead of him.
The former Hudson’s Bay assistant coach was hired as Seton Catholic’s new head football coach last month, just before the state closed schools for what would turn out to be the remainder of the school year.
To help him through this difficult transition, Herling likes to recall a philosophy shared to him by former Bay football coach Mark Oliveira.
“He liked to say you have an inner circle and an outer circle,” Herling said. “Things in the inner circle are things you can control, and things in the outer circle are out of your control. I’m going to focus on my inner circle. The situation is not ideal, especially for a first-time head coach, but it’s something that impacting everyone. I just need to focus on doing whatever I can to get ready for the season.”
A self-described military brat as kid, Herling’s family moved around from Texas, California, Tennessee and Nebraska. After graduating from Arizona State, Herling and his wife Samantha moved to Vancouver, where Samantha grew up, in 2016.
Herling came to Bay as a paraeducator and assistant football coach. He worked one season under Oliveira and three more under Ray Lions.
Two years ago, Herling made the decision to become a school counselor and enrolled in an online master’s program with Creighton University.
“When you’re a teacher, you’re often making lesson plans for 30 kids in a class,” Herling said. “But as a counselor, you get to work with kids one-and-one and make a real impact in their lives. That interested me.”
A counseling internship led Herling to Seton Catholic last September, where he’s been connecting with students, while still coaching football at Bay.
Seton Catholic’s football team was coached by Dan Chase as an interim last season, leading the Cougars to begin a search for a new head coach earlier this year.
“I did a lot of deep thinking and lot of praying,” Herling said. “I’m a man of faith. I’ve enjoyed working at Seton, and I love the culture at the school. I knew it was a big step for me, but I talked to Ray Lions about it, and he was really supportive. … So I threw my hat into the ring.”
After playing as a 1A independent, Seton Catholic will return to playing a full 1A Trico League schedule next fall. The Cougars, sporting a roster of about 25 players, went 4-4 last season under Chase, who will remain on the coaching staff as an assistant coach, Herling said.
Herling said he will be installing a new offense and defense from what the Cougars’ played last season, which will add to the challenges.
“Our focus won’t be on winning; it will be on doing things the right way,” Herling said. “If we do things the right way, success will follow. We’re going to work to limit discipline issues and we’ll build a family atmosphere where we get students, parents and faculty all involved.
“I’m excited to get going. I’m excited to see the kids can do.”
But it might be a while until Herling will get that chance.
Because of the school building closure and uncertainty about what the summer might bring, the first time Herling will get to work with his players might not be until Aug. 19, the first day of fall football practices.
“We might just show up that first day, go through two-a-day (practices), practice for a couple weeks, then go play,” Herling said. “That’s the way it worked when I played. It will be a challenge to coach and teach kids new things like that, but it’s something that everyone will have to deal with.”
