O’Dea’s Monte Kohler is now state’s all-time winningest high school football coach
Monte Kohler now stands alone. O’Dea’s road win over Rainier Beach on Thursday night makes the longtime O’Dea High School football coach the winningest in Washington state history.
It was a record-setting win No. 395 for Kohler, which puts him ahead of legendary Tumwater High School coach Sid Otton, who tallied 394 career wins.
Kohler tied Otton’s mark in style last December, reaching the milestone with a win over top-seeded Bellevue in the Class 3A state championship game at Husky Stadium. It was the fifth championship for Kohler, now in his 41st season at O’Dea.
O’Dea will be in contention for a repeat bid and another 3A state championship this fall, with a roster littered with Division I recruits and one of the top defensive line units not just in Washington, but perhaps on the entire west coast.
O’Dea moves to 1-1 on the season after a 40-38 road loss to 4A state tournament contender Graham-Kapowsin last Friday night.
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 10:21 PM.
