9/3/2025
(Seattle, WA) O’Dea’s Head Football Coach Monte Kohler won his 5th State Championship last December at husky Stadium. Winning it all is always the pinnacle of all sports but his win was extra special as it was career win #394 for Kohler. That pulled him into a tie with former Tumwater Head Coach Sid Otton. Otton finished his 394 win career after his 49th season in 2016.
Kohler and the Fighting Irish needed to go a perfect 13-0 in 2024 for Kohler to hit #394. That’s exactly what they did turning the 2024 season into one of the most memorable of all time. The 2024 State championship was the 5th under Kohler.
We talked with the man whose record he’s about to break, Sid Otton. Otton also finshed his Tumwater career with 5 State Championships and had won one while at Colfax in the early 70’s. That was prior to the play-offs and was decided by the A-P poll. Otton said he doesn’t think it’s an accidcent that Monte Kohler is the one to break his record. Otton said, “when I decided to step down I had a pretty good lead and looking could ee really the one who was most likely to break the record was Monte. He has a great program, built a culture that has resonated through the decades which is what it takes to last this long.” “Records are meant to be broken and I’m happy to see it go to Monte. He’s worked hard and when he’s done I’m not sure anyone is going to catch him.”
We had a chance to talk with Coach Kohler on a zoom interview. We talked about that magical night last December and that he’s not done yet.
ESN talks with Coach Monte Kohler
ESN will be at the O’Dea at Graham-Kapowsin game Friday night. Kohler is solely focused on his team and trying to defend their state c hampionship. You can watch the O’Dea/G-K game on the NFHS network. This is a subscription service and this link will take you to our schedule page where you can get your subscription and to view the game.
Link to O’Dea coverage winning the 2024 State Championship and win #394
Link to the Sid Otton story on ESN
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