Assistant coaches provide expertise, dedication and longevity
Successful athletic programs often have dedicated assistant coaches who tend to serve in less visible roles but are extremely important to the athletes and the continuity of the program. PLU has many part-time assistant coaches who have full-time positions away from campus and spend their late afternoons and weekends coaching.
Here’s a look at some of these dedicated coaches:
Assistant Track Coach Gary Carew. Originally from Trinidad, Carew
was a member of his country’s 440-yeard relay team in the 1976 Summer
Olympic Games in Montreal. During Carew’s 17 years of coaching
at PLU, every school record in all sprints, hurdles, and relays have been
rewritten many times. More than 20 of these student-athletes have been recognized
as All-Americans. "Gary’s contribution far exceeds his exceptional
background as a world class athlete and a very effective coach," said
head coach Brad Moore.
" The relationships that Coach Carew develops with his athletes are not only positive for the sprinters but have an inspirational impact on the entire team of athletes and coaches."
Assistant coaches, from left, Gary Carew, Phill Scott and Tim Templin help
their teams succeed.Assistant Track Coach Jerry Russell. Russell
brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to the PLU
program. He has coached at PLU for 15 years with primary emphasis currently
in the throwing events, decathlon and heptathlon. Russell has played a major
role in the development of PLU’s track and field program to national
prominence. Moore said, "Jerry’s contributions, primarily in the
field events, have been tremendous and his excellent recruiting has been invaluable
during his tenure at PLU."
Assistant Track Coach Kevin Eager. Eager has been on the PLU
coaching staff for nine years and works primarily with the jumping events.
PLU jumpers have won five conference titles and two All-American honors during
Eager’s tenure. Eager, a PLU graduate with a degree in history, teaches
at Gig Harbor High School. Moore says, "Kevin is a true track and field
enthusiast who brings enormous positive energy to the program. He has a great
deal of love and loyalty for PLU which began as a youngster growing up in
the Parkland area."
Assistant Softball Coach Phill Scott. Scott is in his ninth
year as an assistant coach. He also coaches summer fastpitch with Head
Coach Rick Noren and conducts various clinics in the Northwest. According
to Noren, "Phill is and has been an extremely dedicated servant. His
commitment to the team and PLU is remarkable. The players not only respect
him for the teaching he provides on the field, but he inspires those around
him with his positive nature and spiritual leadership. Without Phill, PLU
softball would not have achieved the great success it has enjoyed."
Assistant Volleyball Coach Tim Templin. Templin has served seven
years as assistant volleyball coach at PLU. He is active in numerous volleyball
camps and clinics throughout the state. Templin received his undergraduate
degree in business and a master’s in teaching from PLU. He teaches at
Kalles Junior High School in Puyallup. According to Head Coach Kevin Aoki,
"Tim knows the game and has dedicated so much time and energy to the
volleyball program at PLU. We have been successful because of people like
Tim."