After seven seasons as a college coach, Luke Samford (left) takes over the Coupeville High School cross country program. (Photos property Kansas Wesleyan University Athletic Department)
Samford ran in college at the University of Idaho.
It could be kismet.
A year back in the game, the Coupeville High School cross country squad found itself without a coach this spring when Natasha Bamberger had to step aside to focus on her real-world job.
Following in the (fast) footsteps of the most-successful female athlete in school history, a five-time state champ in the ’80s, wasn’t going to be easy.
But then the Wolves lucked out a bit.
Luke Samford, a former D1 athlete with seven years of collegiate coaching experience under his belt, popped up on the radar unexpectedly, and Coupeville was back in business.
One second, you’re the head track and cross country coach at Kansas Wesleyan University, the next you’re headed to the prairie on the middle of a rock in the water in the Pacific Northwest.
“My wife and I decided we wanted to relocate,” Samford said. “Since I was raised in North Idaho, we decided to look at places in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
“She was offered a great opportunity, and I followed,” he added. “The coaching position at Coupeville coming open right before we packed up feels like fate. It’s exactly what I was looking for.”
Samford inherits a program which relaunched in 2018 after a two-decade absence.
Under Bamberger, the new-look Wolves fielded a six-man boys team, while Catherine Lhamon and Alana Mihill ran strongly on the girls side.
Five of eight runners from a season ago can return, and there could be a strong number of freshmen making the jump from middle school, where coach Elizabeth Bitting got things kick-started with a bang.
Samford is looking forward to jumping in and keeping the momentum going.
“It’s a new program, and I have experience taking over fresh programs,” he said. “I also went to a school not too much bigger than Coupeville, so I like that the school is a community in and of itself.
“Also, (CHS Athletic Director) Willie Smith really sold me on his vision for athletics in Coupeville in general,” Samford added. “It’s an exciting thing to be a part of.”
Samford began his own athletic career as a soccer player, eventually making an international squad based out of the Northwest as a 16-year old.
Looking for a way to stay active, stay in shape, and build speed, he picked up track in high school “and loved it,” eventually earning medalist honors at the 3A level in Idaho in the 800 and 1600.
After his high school days, he balanced soccer and track for a year at Southwestern Oregon Community College, before transferring to The University of Idaho as a runner.
Samford earned a Master’s in Education (he’d love to find a teaching job in the area), and jumped when the chance to coach came along.
Stints at Kennesaw State University, Sewanee: The University of the South, and Mercer University led to his gig at Kansas Wesleyan.
All of his stops were notable for the improvement the programs showed during his tenure, the number of records smashed, and the growth of his athletes. That’s something he wants to bring to the high school level.
“For this first year, our goal is going to be to set a standard and establish the running culture of the school,” Samford said. “It’s amazing to see how many runners the team had in its first year last year.
“It needs to be said that the middle school program has done a great job of this,” he added. “I can see they are running this summer doing a marathon relay!”
However his new crop of runners eventually breaks down between genders and age groups, Samford is excited to help them reach their full potential.
“I’m here to make sure every athlete on my teams have a great experience,” he said. “I know there is some talent on the team right now, and with the right mindset, I think the Wolf cross country programs this year are going to be exciting to watch.
“I can’t wait to meet everyone and get started!”
Just be ready to work, and the rest will come, is the mindset for Coupeville’s newest coach.
“To the athletes – I hope you like hills … because I love them,” Samford said with a smile.
“There’s a reason Washington state is known for runners,” he added. “I’m excited to show these athletes all of the great things they are going to learn about themselves this season!
“As a coach, I am always trying to research and learn new things; I think this sport is FASCINATING! Hopefully some of that can rub off on the athletes and they see, “Hey! Learning is actually pretty cool.”
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