‘We call ourselves a family’ — Lynden’s coaches stay home to continue a longtime legacy
Lynden’s eight state football titles in the past 16 Class 2A tournaments is not the only nifty statistic attesting to the quality of the school’s program.
How about 11 former Lynden players on the football coaching staff?
That is surely one of the highest such totals at any school in the state and perhaps even the nation as the Lions (8-2) head into the state 2A playoff quarterfinals at North Kitsap (10-1) Saturday at 3 p.m.
“Isn’t that wonderful?” said head coach Blake Van Dalen. “All those guys who want to give back to the school and community that has meant so much to them. I just feel so blessed to have them.”
The list begins with 1989 graduate Van Dalen. He took over as head coach following two decades as an assistant to the late and legendary Hall of Fame coach Curt Kramme, who guided the Lions to six state titles from 2006 through 2013 after winning his first when the Lions were a 1A team in 1991.
When he was named head coach before the 2017 season, Van Dalen said one of the wisest things any Lynden coach has ever said.
“I’ll never be the next Curt Kramme,” he said. “I just want to be the best Blake Van Dalen I can be.”
The dean of the assistant coaches, line coach Ed Bomber, is not a Lynden graduate but became invaluable when he assisted Kramme to help claim the state title in 1991 and beyond. He has helped Van Dalen win his first two state championships the past two seasons.
One of the standouts of the 1991 title team, running back and 1993 graduate Scott Noteboom, is the other “grand old man” — so to speak! — on the coaching staff.
Noteboom, who teaches at the parent partnership school Lynden Academy, says he loves being an assistant.
“This is a special thing to be part of … I’m going to coach until I pass away,” he said with a smile. “I couldn’t have less intent in ever being the head coach.”
Defensive coordinator Blake Witman, an insurance salesman and 2000 graduate, also peddles his football wisdom and, like Noteboom, “absolutely loves” his role. Like Van Dalen, Witman never got the chance to play on a state champion.
“I enjoy being here,” Witman said. “Why would I want to go somewhere else? I don‘t know anything else but Lynden. My grandfather worked on the chain gang at games here.”
None of the players from the classes of 2001-2009 are coaching at Lynden, so then comes Blair Bomber (2010), Zach Vis (2013), Jaremy Martin (2014) and Trey Shagren (2015), followed by Cody Swendt (2017), Cauy Shagren (2018), Baylor Ayres (2021) and Gresham Assink (2022). Also on the staff are C team coach Mike Regis and Brock Moffitt, a volunteer coaching newcomer from San Diego.
When several assistants left after Kramme’s untimely passing, Van Dalen listened earnestly to the former players he knew as an assistant..
“I wanted guys who love the local area and ‘get’ Lynden,” Van Dalen said, referring to the long established culture of Lynden football. “We call ourselves a family and we talk about the Lynden legacy.
“I did the job (of assistant) for 20 years and I loved every second,” Van Dalen added. “At times, I’m even jealous of these guys and the mentorship relationships they establish.”
Martin, who played on Lynden’s 2011, 2012 and 2013 state champions, could not attend an interview but felt strongly enough to send an articulate message.
“To me, I love giving back to the community and the kids. When I played for Lynden, the community always showed up for us and showed us how blessed we are to play for Lynden,” he said.
“Lynden football is a family and being able to continue to be part of this family years after being done playing is pretty amazing,” Martin added. “Being a positive influencer for the next generation of kids is pretty awesome! I’m very thankful to continue being a part of the legacy that is Lynden football.”
Van Dalen was struck by a memory when he read that message from Martin.
“I remember when Jaremy was part of my scout team huddle and now he’s running the scout team huddle,” the coach said.
Vis earned a reputation not only as one of the state’s best receivers, but as one of the hardest-hitting safeties anyone had seen in Whatcom County.
“I’ve always felt our program is like a brothership,” Vis said. “When we recently had a forfeit from Burlington, the atmosphere (at what instead became Lions Pride Night to honor seniors) was better than at some games.”
“I just remember that when I was a player,” Trey Shagren said, “the coaches had such an impact on us.”
Ayres is typical of the Lynden coaching community. When he sustained a season-ending injury in October while playing his second season at quarterback for Orange Coast College in Southern California, he headed right back to Lynden to help coach.
He’s another mentor to his brother, senior Charlie Ayres, a standout linebacker who also serves as a running back and reliable backup quarterback.
“I’ve always loved it here,” Baylor Ayres said.
Seems like everyone of these guys said that!
WEEK TWELVE
State Playoff Quarterfinals
2A
Lynden (8-2) at North Kitsap (10-1), Saturday 3 p.m.
1A
Lynden Christian (8-2) vs. Nooksack Valley (8-2) at Civic Stadium, Friday 7 p.m.
