Q&A
December 15, 2008
By Staff
Steve Gervais
Steve Gervais
Former Skyline High School football head coach Steve Gervais was one of the numerous University of Washington assistant coaches let go when new football coach Steve Sarkisian took over earlier this month.
Gervais was hired in spring to work with then-head coach Tyrone Willingham as the running back coach after 31 years coaching at the high school level. Gervais led the team to three state championships during 10 years as head coach of the football team.
Q: Did you see this coming at any point in the season, or before you took the job?
A: When I took this job, I understood that the alumni and the administration at UW had said if Washington did not go to bowl or didn’t win more than six games … I understood going in what had to happen to get rehired. It certainly didn’t catch me off guard. The inevitable only got closer until the hammer was dropped.
Q: What was it like for you as the team struggled this season?
A: You weekly try to help these kids to have success and to win. But at same time, the reality was we were not able to win and it was a very difficult situation.
Q: What was it like moving from high school- to college-level coaching?
A: It was certainly a challenge. But football at the high school level and the college level is not that much different. You still have to motivate the kids to be successful out on the field. They are very, very similar.
Q: After 32 years’ coaching, would you consider returning to high school football?
A: I’ve been asked that a lot. Right now I’m looking in other directions. Certainly never say never, but at this time it’s not the direction I want to go. This job is seven days a week. I want to take some time to sit back and evaluate and see what I really want to do.
Q: Would you consider coaching at a Division II program, say at Western or Central?
A: In collegiate football, you’re always open to anything. Often, it’s a transient sport, where you’re willing to move. Time will tell.
Q: What’s the greatest part of coaching Division I players?
A: The opportunity to coach some very good athletes and compete against good athletes at that level is something that excites you and energizes you.
Q: What do you think is the key to rebuilding the UW football program?
A: Recruiting is the No. 1 thing. In order to get back to where you can compete for championships, you have to be able to do that year in, year out.
Q: What do you think of Skyline winning state again the year after you left and of Mat Taylor’s job as head coach?
A: I was thrilled for the players, the coaches, the community. It’s a great thing. I had no doubt that Mat Taylor would be a great coach. I was as happy as anybody could be for those kids, those coaches, their success. It’s not an easy thing to do, to take over. You just don’t walk into a state championship.”
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