Semones departing for Ivy League coaching job

SANDPOINT — When an Ivy League school comes calling, it’s tough to pass up.

Doug Semones, who was the defensive coordinator for the past three years at Sandpoint High School, received an offer from an old friend to coach football at Yale University, marking a return to the collegiate ranks for the successful coach.

A frequent change of address is one of the realities of coaching college football in this day and age. In Semones’ case, the job has taken him from Hawaii to Sandpoint, and now on to Connecticut, where he will coach some of the brightest linebackers in the country.

“I’m excited about getting back to the college ranks,” said Semones, who leaves Feb. 12 for New Haven, Connecticut. “High school is fun, but I won’t be taping ankles anymore. Just football; that’s all you focus on.”

Semones should know. Prior to moving to Sandpoint three years ago, he was a long-time defensive assistant at the University of Hawaii, where he befriended a young coach named Tom Williams. Williams went on to become an assistant coach with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, before recently being named the new head coach at Yale, where he offered Semones the chance to coach linebackers.

Semones had reservations about re-locating across the country, but ultimately the offer was too good to pass up.

“We got him from Hawaii and I knew we wouldn’t keep him long,” said Bulldogs head coach Mike Mitchell. “Doug has been a real integral piece to the program. I hate to lose him, but that’s how life goes in this business.”

One of the silver linings is that Jake Semones might be able to once again play football for his father. Jake, who plans to remain in Sandpoint and play baseball before graduating, has already applied to Yale, where he would have a chance to play quarterback for the Eli football team while receiving a world-class education.

“I think he’s got a great chance to get in,” said Semones, adding that while Ivy League school don’t offer athletic scholarships, Jake would be able to pay what amounts to in-state tuition.

Semones said he felt bad about not being able to coach the Sandpoint baseball team again this year, but had no choice if he wanted to take the job and is confident the program will remain in capable hands. He said he’ll try and get back a couple times this spring to watch Jake play and visit his wife Linda and daughter C.J., before the family moves back east for good.