Former D1 scholarship athlete Kwamane Bowens is part of an all-new Coupeville High School football coaching staff. (Photo courtesy Bowens)
It’s a whole new group on the sideline.
Coupeville High School football has made a major transition this year, hiring Marcus Carr as its head coach, and now bringing in five new assistants.
The hiring of Nathan Bellamy, Tyson Boon, Robert Carr and Kwamane Bowens was officially approved by the school board at its July 30 meeting.
Bennett Richter, a volunteer assistant coach, rounds out the staff.
With the start of a new season just a week away (Washington state teams can start practicing Aug. 15), the group is rarin’ to get going.
Marcus Carr replaces Jon Atkins, who stepped down after two seasons, and is Coupeville’s fifth head coach in nine years.
Prior to that, Ron Bagby coached the Wolves for 26 years.
Coupeville’s new head coach went 13-6 in two seasons at Concrete, winning a Northwest League title last fall, and is looking to bring that same success to CHS, which hasn’t finished above .500 since 2005.
To help him build the Wolf program, Marcus Carr recruited men with long-term playing and coaching experience, much of it here on Whidbey Island.
Among the new Wolf assistant coaches are a former D1 scholarship athlete and several guys who played for the 2006 Oak Harbor High School football squad which won a 4A state title.
A primer on the new assistant coaches, with commentary by Marcus Carr:
Nathan Bellamy (Defensive Coordinator):
Lived on the Island for 23 years, has 13 years of coaching experience. Huge fan of Buddy Ryan.
Passionate about helping the youth in our community.
Blessed to be in the position to help rebuild the Coupeville football program and bring back a standard of excellence.
Tyson Boon (Offensive Line):
Oak Harbor graduate 2006, where he was the varsity center.
He has played semi-pro football for the Bellingham Bulldogs.
He coaches because he wants the kids to understand that what we do is bigger than football.
When kids graduate he wants them to leave with more than just football skills. He wants them to have gained a better sense of self worth.
There are many life lessons that are taught playing football.
Kwamane Bowens (Receivers/Defensive backs):
23 years old. Played D1 football at Hawaii and Texas State.
He ran track as a youth for Coupeville Middle School.
Coach Bowens is ready to help the athletes succeed and to bring the football program to prominence.
Bobby Carr (Running back/Linebackers):
29 years old, played 13 seasons of football; WIAA state champ in ’06 with Oak Harbor.
Coached six seasons of youth football in Oak Harbor. Professional painter.
Bennett Richter (Running backs/Linebackers):
Graduated from Oak Harbor 2009 and was a member of the ’06 Oak Harbor state champs.
Has been coaching youth sports for the last several years.
He looks to bring energy and teach solid football fundamentals and techniques while instilling a love and passion for the game.
Wants the players to know they are part of something bigger than themselves – a sense of community, and the idea that they are learning far more than just the principles of football, but of life.
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