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Six stories about South Sound football program coaching changes

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

Several South Sound high school football programs saw big coaching changes this year. This list of stories illustrates coaches stepping down after long tenures, like Ross Filkins at Peninsula, and coaches moving to new schools, such as DJ Mims going to Puyallup and Darrin Reeves to Auburn Riverside.

Internal promotions and newcomers bringing new strategies, like Jeff Scoma’s Wing-T offense at Gig Harbor, also stand out.

Peninsula coach Ross Filkins at practice on Thursday afternoon at Roy Anderson Field. By JON MANLEY

NO. 1: AFTER 30 YEARS AT THE HELM, PENINSULA FOOTBALL’S ROSS FILKINS RESIGNS

“The football field has been my greatest classroom,” Filkins said. | Published December 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by twicke@thenewstribune.comTyler Wicke

Stanwood head coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

NO. 2: NEW FOOTBALL COACHES INTRODUCED AT GIG HARBOR, PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOLS

Gig Harbor’s new coach took Stanwood to the state tournament twice. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

NO. 3: WING-T OFFENSE COMING: JEFF SCOMA READY TO SHAKE UP GIG HARBOR FOOTBALL PROGRAM

Gig Harbor’s new football coach discusses his Bellevue roots and lays out his vision for the Tides. | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

DJ Mims is the new Puyallup High School football coach, after three years turning around Mercer Island High School’s football program. By Linda Kercher

NO. 4: PUYALLUP LANDS RISING COACH DJ MIMS, WHO TURNED MERCER ISLAND INTO CONTENDER

Mims turned things around at Mercer Island, leading the Islanders to a 10-1 record last fall. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Gig Harbor head coach Darrin Reeves weathers a rain shower as he directs the Tides during preseason football practice at Gig Harbor High School in Gig Harbor, Washington, on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. By Tony Overman

NO. 5: FORMER GIG HARBOR FOOTBALL COACH DARRIN REEVES RESURFACES AT AUBURN RIVERSIDE

“My vision is to come in and build a culture that everyone will know who we are,” Reeves said. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

Yelm head coach Jason Ronquillo looks on during the first half of the game against Mount Tahoma at Yelm High School, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Yelm, Wash.of the game at Yelm High School, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Yelm, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 6: YELM FOOTBALL COACH JASON RONQUILLO, WHO LED TEAM TO STATE TITLE, ABRUPTLY RESIGNS

Ronquillo led the Tornados to back-to-back state championship games, winning the title in 2022. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Manley

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.