9/12/2025
Going into the season opener, O’Dea Head Coach, Monte Kohler, knew he was going to make state history after tying Sid Otton atop of the all-time wins list for any football coach in the state of Washington. Kohler and the Fighting Irish tied Otton when they completed their magical 13-0 season last year with a State Championship win over Bellevue to reach #394.
So, week 1 at Graham-Kapowsin would be the first chance to get it done. When they fell behind 34-17 it looked early on that week 2 would be the next chance. But then the Fighting Irish did just that, fought back and actually took the lead 38-34 with about 2 minutes to play in the game. But G-K was not wanting to be the team to give Kohler that record and came back to win with little time left and Kohler was stuck at 394 for at least another week.
O’Dea teed it up again last night against Rainier Beach. We talked with Kohler prior to the G-K game and the one thing he wanted more than anything is to get this win as quick as possible so it’s over and then all the focus would be back on his team. Kohler is proud and greatful for the achievement but is the first to say it couldn’t have been done without all the players, coaches, administrative support, parents and fans. “This is not an individual record, this record belongs to the team”, Kohler said, and he wanted the distraction of it happening behind them.
When they fell short in week 1 his focus was to clean up some of the mistakes they had against G-K and complete the mission. The Irish went up 14-0 over Rainier Beach. But the Vikings would answer in the 3rd quarter with a touchdown and 2 point PAT to pull within 14-8. O’Dea settled in and made sure there would be no comeback pulling away to a 31-16 final.
The Irish improve to 1-1 and all the record talk can now be put away. That makes Kohler happiest of all. Kohler told us, “I have never focused on records and standings. It’s about how we get there as a group. I am just so happy for our players including every player that has been part of this program when I began in 1985. This record belongs to all of them.”
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