Puailoa, Brass earn District 1 coaching honors

SANDPOINT — After nearly leading their respective teams to 4A state championships, Sandpoint football coach Satini Puailoa and cross country coach Matt Brass were each named District 1 Fall Coaches of the Year, as voted on by all of the coaches at every level in District 1.

Only one coach per sport is selected throughout all classifications, and the votes signify a great respect from opposing coaches throughout North Idaho.

In his fourth year back as head coach at Sandpoint, Puailoa has rebuilt the program from the ground up, just missing both his and the school’s second state football title after a tough loss to Bishop Kelly in the state championship. He says the reward is simply a reflection of the school and the team.

“What it means is we’ve done the right stuff. The team does well, that’s what happens. A piece of that goes to (Davan) Norris, Carlos (Collado), (Paul) Sundquist, Coach Lassen, Tom Albertson, Kris Knowles. When they name you, they really name the program,” said Puailoa. “I don’t look at it as what I did, it’s our team. I’m not playing tennis or golf or wrestling, where I’m out there by myself. It’s what everybody did.”

After coming within a few points of winning a third consecutive 4A state girls title, Brass was named girls cross country Coach of the Year. Brass said since he is technically listed as the head cross country coach, he was honored to win the award, but felt it should have gone to his wife Angie Brass, who actually coaches the girls team.

“The award should really go to Angie, and at the very least her name should be included with mine. Coaching awards are won because quality athletes commit to a set of goals, and work for months and years to achieve them,” said Brass, who coaches the boys cross country team. “We think the world of the kids we get to coach, and they make us look good each and every year. The award is really recognition of the program as a whole, from the administrators to the coaches, athletes, parents and community.”

District 1 Fall Coaches of the Year

• Football: Satini Puailoa, Sandpoint.

• Boys cross country: Shawn Lawler, Timberlake.

• Girls cross country: Matt Brass, Sandpoint.

• Volleyball: Amy Scheer, St. Maries.

• Girls soccer: Dave Baxter, Coeur d’Alene Charter.

• Boys soccer: Rob Lawler, Priest River.