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Willamina coach has ties to area
By John Gunther, Sports Editor
Friday, November 13, 2009 | No comments posted.
Saturday’s playoff game between Willamina and Gold Beach at Pete Susick Stadium means the return to the South Coast for Willamina coach Tim France.
During the late 1990s, France helped make Powers into a Class 1A dynasty before leaving for other opportunities.
The Cruisers won titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
After leaving Powers, France coached three years at Nyssa High School on the Oregon-Idaho border before heading west to Willamina, where he serves as the school’s principal.
“It’s kind of a little bigger Powers,” France said of the school, located west of Salem. “It’s a logging-type community (with) hard-working kids.”
France was head coach for the Bulldogs his first year in Willamina, then an assistant. He took his third year off from coaching to focus on his duties as principal. But after the previous coach left, he resumed coaching last year, leading the Bulldogs into the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
His right-hand man on the coaching staff also was part of the Powers dynasty.
Ike Ellis, the quarterback for the three champion teams, has been France’s top assistant all three years he has been head coach at Willamina.
“Ike does defense and I do offense,” France said. “Of course, we help each other out back and forth.”
Ellis, who played both football and baseball for Linfield College after his career at Powers, has his pilot’s license and also works as an EKG technician at a Salem hospital, France said.
Together, the two led Willamina to a strong season.
The Bulldogs finished second in the West Valley League, losing an early game to Dayton and then losing 50-13 to Amity last Friday with a chance to claim a share of the league title on the line.
“We’re coming off a pretty hard loss,” France said.
He knows to expect a tough game from the Panthers.
“They’re a very disciplined team,” France said. “They don’t make mistakes. For the most part, they execute very well.”
He is particularly impressed with Gold Beach’s line, the strength of its offense.
France sees both teams being among the more competitive Class 3A squads, behind three elite clubs — Cascade Christian, Amity and Vale.
“I can see it being hopefully a very solid game,” he said.
During the late 1990s, France helped make Powers into a Class 1A dynasty before leaving for other opportunities.
The Cruisers won titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
After leaving Powers, France coached three years at Nyssa High School on the Oregon-Idaho border before heading west to Willamina, where he serves as the school’s principal.
“It’s kind of a little bigger Powers,” France said of the school, located west of Salem. “It’s a logging-type community (with) hard-working kids.”
France was head coach for the Bulldogs his first year in Willamina, then an assistant. He took his third year off from coaching to focus on his duties as principal. But after the previous coach left, he resumed coaching last year, leading the Bulldogs into the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
His right-hand man on the coaching staff also was part of the Powers dynasty.
Ike Ellis, the quarterback for the three champion teams, has been France’s top assistant all three years he has been head coach at Willamina.
“Ike does defense and I do offense,” France said. “Of course, we help each other out back and forth.”
Ellis, who played both football and baseball for Linfield College after his career at Powers, has his pilot’s license and also works as an EKG technician at a Salem hospital, France said.
Together, the two led Willamina to a strong season.
The Bulldogs finished second in the West Valley League, losing an early game to Dayton and then losing 50-13 to Amity last Friday with a chance to claim a share of the league title on the line.
“We’re coming off a pretty hard loss,” France said.
He knows to expect a tough game from the Panthers.
“They’re a very disciplined team,” France said. “They don’t make mistakes. For the most part, they execute very well.”
He is particularly impressed with Gold Beach’s line, the strength of its offense.
France sees both teams being among the more competitive Class 3A squads, behind three elite clubs — Cascade Christian, Amity and Vale.
“I can see it being hopefully a very solid game,” he said.
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