Puailoa steps down as Bulldogs' coach

SANDPOINT — It's tough to say which was the better coaching job for Sandpoint head football coach Satini Puailoa, who on Tuesday announced that he was stepping down as a popular football coach and teacher at the end of the school year.

In his first stint, which included winning the school's lone state title in 1997, he built one of top programs in North Idaho. In his second stint, he took over a program coming off a one-win season and set about rebuilding it, from the ground up, just missing out on a second state title.

As committed a coach as there is, Puailoa, 60, felt the time was right to step down. In 14 years as head coach at Sandpoint, he compiled an 84-62 record, and was never afraid to take on the bigger schools.

“I'm most proud of the kids. It took a village, we have 20 some coaches. It's all about them,” says Puailoa, who leaves the program on extremely sound footing. “There's all new helmets, new shoulder pads, new sleds, new video equipment. It's been a full on four-year charge.”

Last fall, the Bulldogs were close to winning a second state title, falling to Bishop Kelly in the 4A state championship at the Kibbie Dome. The product on that field was borne of hard work in the weight room, a staple of Puailoa's programs.

Behind the scenes was a coach who put in countless hours and immeasurable energy. A coach who last year was both the offensive and defensive coordinator. A coach whose program is thriving at every level. A coach whose players were loyal and committed to.

“With our collection of speed and power, we can match up and go toe-to-toe with any 5A in the area,” claims Puailoa, whose JV team went 9-1 last season against a big-boy schedule. “(People) see the results on Friday night. What they don't see is us turning boys into young men.”

Puailoa started his coaching career at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California, where he coached MMA legend Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell. From there he moved to Sandpoint, where he's wore many hats ever since. Along with some personal family reasons,

the time commitment to coach was also a main reason he chose to step down.

“I'm the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. I'm the first guy here, and the last to leave, it's 24/7,” admits Puailoa, who feels the program can get even better going forward. “Sandpoint could go on to being one of the best programs in the Northwest, but it will take people dedicating like I do.”

Puailoa's father, Satini Puailoa II, was a high school coaching legend in Santa Barbara, where a field is named after him and he resides in four Hall of Fames, so coaching football is in the DNA. After his father passed away, Puailoa eventually felt it was time to take over the reins of Sandpoint again in 2012. The weight room has been a bustling hub ever since, and the success has helped all of the sports programs, not just the football team.

“Five years ago it was a ghost town,” says Puailoa, pointing toward the busy weight room. “Now this is the most active place on campus.”

Puailoa admits he's been coaching long enough that he's now seeing sons, nephews and cousins of former players. With one of the best weight rooms in the state, and brand-new equipment for a program of more than 150 players, SHS Athletic Director Kris Knowles says the program is on firm footing and an enticing job for a future coach.

“Coach Puailoa is one of the best I've ever been around in 18 years. He has that ability to galvanize people, bring them together, get them to do things they didn't think they could. He really is special,” describes Knowles.

“Not just in the weight room, but he's a great teacher, connects with kids from all backgrounds. It's a big loss for our school.”

Puailoa hopes to stick around in some capacity in the future, but admits it will all depend on the next coach. Vince Huntsberger, a former All-American safety at Montana who has been coaching defense at Sandpoint for the past two years, says the program will lose a ton of leadership.

“The amount of time and effort, his dedication, is unbelievable,” says Huntsberger.

“It's impressive how much effort he's put into the program.”

Assistant coach Quenten Ducken has been fortunate enough to both play for and coach under Puailoa. Ducken, whose son is now a freshman, was the starting center on the 1997 state championship football team and knows firsthand what Puailoa means to Sandpoint football.

“It's undbelievable what he's put into this,” marvels Ducken. “He's a big role model and leader.”

Senior Brett Hutchens, a classic example of a Puailoa player who worked tirelessly in the weight room to become a strong nose tackle, said the program will no doubt miss its chief architect and leader.

“He brought a blue collar, nothing-is-going-to-be-given-to-you mentality, and brought us together,” describes Hutchens. “He made us more than an average football team. He made us a family.”