Spokane Native Returns To Try Hand At New Challenge
After a virtual lifetime as a player and coach, Ed Fisher stunned a community when he walked away from one of the state’s most prestigious football programs.
The Spokane native had compiled a 197-48 record while at South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard, Wash. His teams won a state championship in 1994, reached the state finals three times and the semifinals seven.
He traded that to become the vice principal for activities at North Central High School, which last year had the least successful athletic program in the Greater Spokane League.
The question begged itself. Why?
“Pretty dramatic isn’t it?” said Fisher, already on the job. “When you’ve given 23 years of your life to something completely and all of a sudden tear it out, words can’t describe what I went through. I still feel it flow through me. I’d be a fool to say I won’t miss coaching.”
The sudden decision to leave came over a 10-day period after he had learned of the opening while watching the East West All-State Summer Classic football game in Spokane on June 27.
It left the community of Port Orchard in shock.
“You’re very lucky,” said a secretary at South Kitsap, who declined to be identified. “You’re getting a magnificent person. We’re really happy for you. It’s sad for us.”
She called Fisher someone who had a gift to deal with and bring out the best in people. The school is planning a tribute for him later this summer.
Fisher said the reasons for his move were severalfold. Following two levy failures, decisions were made regarding football that he wasn’t a part of, he said.
There were other coaching prospects in the works. But he and his wife, Susie, both Shadle Park graduates, wanted to be closer to their parents. They also wanted to be able to watch their son, Casey, play football at Boise State University. Another son, Adam, will remain to help coach at South Kitsap.
Fisher was a three-sport athlete who graduated from Shadle in 1967. He was a two-year starting quarterback and defender. He was the league’s second-leading passer both years and second in total offense as a junior.
The 5-foot-8, 150-pound senior was the third-leading Highlander scorer on a regional qualifying basketball team. He was also a two-time state-qualifying trackster.
Dave Holmes, who influenced his desire to coach, sold Fisher on playing at Eastern Washington University. He played as a freshman for the NAIA national runnerup football team. He was twice an all-conference defensive back and was an NAIA track All-American long jumper.
“The thing my parents taught me and instilled in me was to be the best. It doesn’t matter what profession,” said Fisher. “It’s the same way with my wife’s family. You’re given some God-given abilities. You better use them for the best.”
Fisher took a school with 20 years of losing football seasons to 17 straight state playoff appearances.
Driven to succeed, his coaching effort at South Kitsap was year-round. He was demanding, yet a father figure to his players.
“You teach, discipline and love them,” said Fisher. “Obviously, you coach them.”
The essence of Fisher and his program was the subject of an extensive feature project last December in the Morning News-Tribune of Tacoma.
It explained how youngsters dreamed of wearing a Wolves’ jersey, of their 90-players-strong weightroom commitment and three-days-per-week film-watching routine.
It told of the coaches’ attention to minute detail, and Fisher’s 20-hour days during the season.
Football, said Fisher, was merely a vehicle that prepared students to function appropriately in society.
Now he is embarking on a new challenge. Fisher said he hopes that his expectations and infectiousness will continue in the capacity of activities coordinator at North Central.
“When I took the program at South Kitsap that was called the worst AAA situation in the state,” he said. “Twenty-three years later it is what it is. My goal is to take the same energy and commitment (approach) at this school.”
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