First-year coach Robinson enthusiastic about Pirates’ potential
PHOENIX — Within the face of tragedy, Phoenix Excessive soccer coaches are hoping to instill a familial tradition for a program and group of gamers looking for their footing.
On Sept. 8, 2020, whereas the Pirates sat at house together with the remainder of the state ready for his or her soccer season — delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic — to start out, the Almeda hearth swept by elements of Ashland, Expertise and Phoenix, destroying hundreds of properties and killing three folks.
Although firefighters saved all faculties within the Phoenix-Expertise Faculty District, an estimated 50% of households within the district misplaced their properties, in addition to 25 employees members.
Not solely had the Pirates struggled in earlier seasons, posting an 0-8 file in 2018 and 2-6 in 2019, in addition they confronted the aftermath of the fireplace heading into the spring 2021 season, which they finally completed 0-6.
Throughout the identical season, one other coach was pondering the concept of a return to Phoenix. Mike Robinson, who performed fullback at Southern Oregon College beneath head coach Jeff Olson within the early 2000s, got here again to the Rogue Valley following a quick skilled profession within the Enviornment Soccer League lower quick by a knee harm.
His early teaching profession included a three-year run as an assistant at Phoenix (2004-07). Later, after stints with numerous semi professional groups within the area, he additionally coached at St. Mary’s in 2019 in addition to this previous spring.
It was throughout the latest season that Robinson and fellow assistant Patrick Shed have been on the Phoenix campus for a sport between the Crusaders and Brookings-Harbor. The 2 agreed that if and when a place got here out there, Robinson would apply.
“Simply being on the college once more and the atmosphere teaching there once more, it simply sort of introduced again previous reminiscences,” Robinson recalled. “Trying on the college and the attractive amenities they’d, and understanding that the children there went by quite a bit — simply the tragedy of the group and the rebuild.”
Lower than two months later when the top teaching job opened, Robinson adopted by and obtained the job.
He and his employees, which incorporates Shed, Tim Seeley, Brent Bowker, David Patstone and JJ Latu, are within the midst of a rebuild with their gamers, one which goes properly past their efficiency on the sector. Robinson believes a tradition constructed on household and love will greatest serve the younger males they’re main.
“The principle position proper now could be an extension of household,” Robinson stated of himself and his employees. “(We’re) not afraid to inform these children that we admire them being there, and that we love them as college students and as younger males. It’s a part of our mantra that we inform our children to go house and inform folks of their properties that they love them they usually admire them. We’re attempting to get again to that household mentality that typically when folks undergo tragedies we are able to sort of silo, , ‘that is our drawback, we don’t speak about what occurs right here.’ And that’s not normally how issues get ameliorated, get solved. It’s having a much bigger base and a much bigger village.”
Robinson is uniquely positioned locally by his prior teaching expertise, in addition to his job as a medical social employee with AccentCare Asante Residence Well being, the place he works with folks in Jackson and Josephine counties.
“I’m visiting folks in each counties, serving to construct folks again up,” he stated. “So this involves me sort of simple, I really feel prefer it’s a present, however with these children, it’s an additional push to only have them really feel that they’re cared about, a protected place to go and we would like them to have the most effective expertise as a Phoenix Pirate throughout this tenure.”
At full energy, Robinson estimates the Pirates have roughly 40 gamers in this system, a mixture of returning starters, others who noticed enjoying time on JV and varsity, and even some who’re returning to the Pirates after a 12 months away from the group.
Phoenix turned to numerous freshmen and sophomores to play roles final season, they usually’re returning with extra expertise. Sophomore Ryan Watts (5-9, 150) performed quarterback and security for the Pirates, however is now anticipated to maneuver over to receiver as junior Hunter Everhart (6-0, 165) takes the reins at quarterback.
Different sophomores embody fullback and defensive lineman Charles Butcher (6-2, 240), working again and defensive again Will Greenwood (5-8, 160) and heart Garrett Walker (6-2, 250). Jair Ramirez (5-10, 165), a junior working again and out of doors linebacker, can also be returning to the fold.
The Pirates will even return senior offensive lineman Trevor Sharrar (6-1, 215) and Andrew Hawkins (5-9, 210). Sharrar additionally noticed time at tight finish final season.
Robinson can also be anticipating a pleasant return for senior lineman Romi Pulido (6-3, 270), who didn’t play as a junior and is anticipated to anchor either side of the road.
“He’s going to be a serious asset to our group,” Robinson stated.
The Pirates’ teaching employees can also be a mixture of newcomers and returners. Bowker (linebackers/working backs) and Patstone (offensive line/line of defense) are each returning assistants. Latu, who will coach defensive backs and receivers, joined Phoenix after teaching at North Medford final season. Seeley will cut up defensive coordinator duties with Shed.
Thus far, Robinson stated the gamers have responded positively to the new-look teaching employees.
“The youngsters have been actually purchased in; I can’t be happier,” he stated. “They’ve jelled with each other, they take all the things that we’re saying to coronary heart, all the things that we’re educating them on offense and protection. It’s extra of a pro-style offense and pro-style protection, they usually’re gravitating and dealing onerous. In that regard, I’m blissful that they’re studying, I’m blissful that they arrive with the angle to work, they usually imagine in themselves. That’s one thing you may’t educate when it’s realized by children believing in you as a coach and your employees.”
Forward of the season, the Pirates don’t have a selected win-loss purpose in thoughts. Between COVID-19, wildfires and the ensuing poor air high quality, if Phoenix can get a full, 10-game season accomplished with its gamers wholesome, mentally and bodily, the top coach would think about it a hit.
“If we may play all 10 video games and achieve success with having all 40 of our guys wholesome and make it by, (if) we may have all of our athletes be eligible, I might be very blissful,” Robinson stated.
PIRATES
HEAD COACH
Mike Robinson (first 12 months)
GENERAL INFORMATION
ASSISTANTS: Brent Bowker (linebackers/working backs), David Patstone (linemen), Patrick Shed (co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs/receivers), Tim Seeley (co-defensive coordinator/line of defense/tight ends), JJ Latu (JV assistant/defensive backs/receivers).
2020-21 OVERALL RECORD: 0-6.
PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: Sixth
2019 RESULTS
Phoenix Opponents
13 Cascade Christian 52
27 Newport 0
7 Candy Residence 22
0 Mazama 45
27 Klamath Union 40
27 Henley 42
36 McLoughlin/Griswold 20
42 North Valley 43
2020-21 RESULTS
Phoenix Opponents
0 Hidden Valley/Illinois Valley 47
0 Henley 68
9 Klamath Union 20
0 North Eugene 40
7 North Valley 21
0 Douglas 40
RETURNING STARTERS
OFFENSE (6): Receiver/quarterback Ryan Watts (5-9, 150, so.), tight finish Trevor Sharrar (6-1, 215, jr.), guard Andrew Hawkins (5-9, 210, sr.), heart Garrett Walker (6-2, 250, so.), working again Jair Ramirez (5-10, 165, jr.), working again Will Greenwood (5-8, 160, jr.).
DEFENSE (4): Lineman Charles Butcher (6-2, 240, so.), linebacker Jair Ramirez, defensive again Will Greenwood, security Ryan Watts.
OTHER NOTABLES Lineman Romi Pulido (6-3, 270, sr.), quarterback Hunter Everhart (6-0, 165, jr.), defensive again Jackson Seldon (5-10, 170, jr.), receiver JJ Jimenez (5-7, 160, jr.).
2021 SCHEDULE
Sept. 3 at Sutherlin, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 STAYTON, 4 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Elmira, 7 p.m.
Sept. 24 TBD
Oct. 1 at Hidden Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Henley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 KLAMATH UNION, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22 at Mazama, 7 p.m.
Oct. 29 NORTH VALLEY, 7 p.m.
Attain reporter Will Denner at 541-776-4479 or wdenner@rosebudmedia.com
New Phoenix head coach Mike Robinson, a former fullback at Southern Oregon College, talks with gamers throughout a preseason apply. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune
Phoenix junior Hunter Everhart, left, takes over at quarterback duties for the Pirates this fall and has a bounty of younger weapons at his disposal. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune
2021 Phoenix footballAndy Atkinson / Mail Tribune
2021 Phoenix footballAndy Atkinson / Mail Tribune
Mike Robinson, Phoenix footballAndy Atkinson / Mail Tribune
