'I enjoyed every second of it'
SANDPOINT — There are big shoes to fill, and then there are the enormous pair left by longtime Sandpoint boys soccer coach Randy Thoreson, who tendered his resignation on Monday, ending one of the most successful soccer coaching careers in Idaho state history.
Bringing a decidedly blue-collar approach to the pitch, Thoreson guided the Bulldogs to seven state championships in his 12 years as coach, stewarding a program widely regarded as the best in the state, regardless of classification.
He called the decision to step down one of the toughest he’s ever had to make, citing a desire to spend more time with his wife and three kids as the primary reason for making the move after 15 years in the program.
“There are lots of things I’d like to do before I can’t do them anymore,” explained Thoreson, calling it a very emotional decision. “My wife and kids have kind of gotten short-changed every fall for the last 12 years.”
Along with the state banners, Thoreson also leaves behind a tradition steeped in hard work. His coaching philosophy was centered on a blue-collar approach, right down to telling his players at the first practice of every year that they were about to work harder than any team they would face.
The rigorous fitness level and work ethic he instilled were the lynch pins of his success, all the while never emphasizing winning.
“If you put the work in and make that commitment, the wins and losses will take care of themselves,” said Thoreson. “Working with the kids year in and year out was a huge part of my life. I’m sure the kids taught me more than I taught them.”
Professional soccer player Brian Farber played four years under Thoreson, calling him the most demanding coach he’s ever played for.
Farber recalls a practice when the Bulldogs were running tortuous intervals, sprinting for 20 seconds and then jogging for 40 seconds, never stopping to rest. The players kept cheating, and by the time they finally got it right they’d been doing it for 25 minutes, to this day the hardest workout Farber has ever endured.
It was one of the many life lessons imparted over the years by Thoreson, who demanded much from his players both on the field and off.
“When I first met him, I was really scared of him and intimidated,” remembered Farber, currently the starting mid-fielder for the Portland Timbers. “Over time you get to know him and realize he has a big heart. He’s one of those people who makes an impact on every player.”
While each of the seven state championships were special, Thoreson pointed to two in particular that stuck out. The first was 2006, when the Bulldogs entered the state tournament with a losing record before shocking the field in dramatic fashion. The second was last season, which he called his most fulfilling state title and a great one to end on.
Sandpoint athletic director Tom Albertson now begins the search to find a successor, which he hopes to name by the end of the school year. It won’t be easy, but he’s hoping to find someone to carry on the rich legacy built by Thoreson.
“He had a great connection with kids,” said Albertson. “He got every last ounce of ability out of the kids and got them to come together.”
Traveling and spending time with his family will fill some of the void Thoreson is sure to feel next fall, but he admits Sandpoint soccer will remain in his blood.
“It will be hard to go to Memorial and sit on the other side of the fence,” he admitted. “Coaching is kind of a selfish endeavor, and I enjoyed every second of it. It’s amazing the integrity and commitment these kids come up with to make this happen.”