Hobbs Carries Hope At Nc

The first day of practice for any sport is a day for enthusiasm and optimism, but it’s unlikely any coach finished the first day happier than Wes Hobbs.

The new North Central football coach had a quick and emphatic response when asked if he was happy with the first day of practice.

“Dang right I am,” he said Monday after the Indians finished their second practice of the day.

That could be echoed throughout the area as Washington high schools held their first day of football, volleyball, girls soccer and cross country practice and Idaho schools entered their second week.

Few coaches face a more daunting task than Hobbs, who takes over a team that was winless last year and struggles on an annual basis, in a large part because the Indians are outnumbered by a large margin compared to other Greater Spokane League schools.

“We don’t have great numbers, but if you have a drive or thirst to get something done, you will,” Hobbs said. “We’re getting more kids out every practice. I’d take them all the way up to November if I have to.”

Hobbs understands the odds. He coached at Moses Lake, which struggles to compete consistently in the Big Nine, before taking last year off to get his masters degree in athletic administration. NC hasn’t won more than two games since its last winning season in 1991.

“It is tough … but that’s never entered into my mind as a reason not to go (to NC),” he said of the challenges ahead. “I think the opportunity to coach in the GSL is great. I like the idea of playing all our games in Joe Albi (Stadium).

“There are a lot of opportunities in my mind. I know we’re behind the 8-ball, at least that’s what everyone tells me. I guess if you don’t listen, you don’t have to believe it.”

The first goal is getting enough players in uniform to compete.

“No. 1, we’re working on numbers; you have to compete with numbers,” he said. “We have to try to improve the turnout… . Sometimes you can’t turn a program around unless you win. You have to give them a reason to come out. There’s no place to go but up. It will be a process.”

Hobbs is installing the Wing T offense and he doesn’t have to go far for advice. His high school coach and father, Ray Hobbs, is still in the area, coaching at Colton. One of the all-time winningest coaches in the state, the elder Hobbs coached his son at Pullman.

“I’ve always got something to bounce off him,” the younger Hobbs said, but he doesn’t know when his dad, who lives in Wyoming except during the football season, will hang up his whistle.

“I quit answering that one,” he said. “He enjoys it. It gives him and my mother the opportunity to come back and watch their grandkids play and visit friends. They’d probably be back anyway.”

Hobbs replaces Jerry McCullough, who resigned after 10 years at NC. McCullough remained as the head of the social studies department.

Idaho schools begin playing the week after Labor Day. Washington schools start a week later.

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