Othello Huskies new coach begins his journey -- following a legendary coach

OTHELLO— Coach Jerome Learman was hired as the Othello Huskies head coach in April. He looks to fill big shoes, replacing retired Hall of Fame Coach Roger Hoell, who built a winning tradition in the 32 years he coached the Huskies, which included one state championship and 238 victories in his illustrious career. 

The Huskies finished last year with a 9-2 record, losing in the first round of the playoffs. With over 40 players on the roster, compared to 90 in past years, the rebuilding process will be a challenge for a new coach, introducing a new system. However, Learman brings a great deal of experience in football coaching with over 31 years on the gridiron in various capacities as an assistant and head coach at both the high school and college levels.   

He said the yearning to return to football led him to seek head coaching at a high school.  

“I was kind of open to a lot of different things,” he said. “But I really enjoyed all the time I spent (coaching) high school football, but I wanted to go some place where I felt football is important.” 

Washington State was on his radar as a state renowned for great high school football programs and excellent coaches, he said. 

“Things just clicked with Othello,” he said. “When I looked at what Coach Hoell did, and this is a similar place where I grew up; it reminds me a lot of Dansville (Michigan) which was my first head coaching job. A smaller town with an agricultural focus, I feel like I can relate to that. I guess I've been blessed to coach kids from agricultural backgrounds... I feel like I can work with anyone, but I do feel like this reminds me a lot of home. I've been loving it so far.” 

With some spring practices under his belt and four days of summer practice sessions, he said has a good feel for the team. 

“I like our team. They work hard,” Learman said. “I think there's a good culture and good chemistry with the team. It's really, I think, too early to tell. Obviously, we're replacing a lot. I think they lost nine starters on both sides of the ball last year, so you have two returning starters. But I do like working with our kids and all that; they’re great young men, and that's I think the big thing is that we're doing all the little things, and we’ve got to keep doing the little things.” 

Following a winning season where the team lost only one conference game and one game in the playoffs, Learman knows there are high expectations for the winning tradition to continue in Othello, but he is up to the challenge.  

“Coach Hoell is a great coach, Hall of Fame coach, and did an amazing job here,” he said.  “The longer I've been here, the more admiration I have for him. But I can't be him. He's been tremendous in terms of telling me how he did things, but I've got to be the best version myself and do things my way, and I'm just trying to be myself.” 

Three assistant coaches have departed for other coaching jobs, but key assistant coaches like the defensive coordinator Kevin Hale are returning along with four other assistants. 

“They're doing an excellent job,” he said. “I’d like to add one or two more top level coaches, but the guys I got are working their butts off and doing a great job.” 

At quarterback, he has three players, but he’s leaning toward junior Noah Ozuna as the starter and freshman Jonah Garza as the primary backup. 

“They both seem to have a good grasp on the offense,” he said. “They both probably do have different strengths, but they both have done an excellent job.” 

Most of the returning players in the junior and senior class played last year and were familiar with the way Coach Hoell’s ran the program. Learman said those returners have been receptive to picking up the new system, Learman said.  

“To me, a lot of it is you’ve got to be able to communicate on the field,” he said. “And they've been doing a good job communicating. I think they work really well together.” 

As for following a legendary coach, Learman said he is confident and accepts the challenges.  

"To me, I'm happy here. I would like to be here until I retire,” he said. “I'm not 25, so I'm not going to be here for 30-plus years like Coach Hoell, but as long as the school district wants to keep me around, I like being here.  I like the climate here. It's a beautiful area. Great people. As long as they want me around – it’s my goal to stay here until I retire.” 

    Huskies player Sammy Marroquin prepares to punt the ball in a special teams drill at practice this summer.
  

    Noah Gonzalez from the Huskies completes a catch with teammate Jacob Hensley on defense as they practice running plays during practice.
  

    After catching a punt return, Bentley Pena sprints forward as they practice special teams plays.
  

    Elliot Mitchell from Othello slams into a tackle dummy during summer practice as they prepare for the fall season.