Knudsen named Head Football Coach
Knudsen named Head Football Coach
It has been a whirlwind few weeks for the College of the Siskiyous Eagles football program.
On Jan. 3, Stacy Collins arrived on campus in Weed to begin his duties as head football coach. He was hired in late December after being on the coaching staff the previous four years at D1 program Utah State.
Around 9 p.m. on Monday Jan. 11, COS athletic director Charlie Roche got a phone call from Collins, who told Roche he'd received an unexpected job offer to join the coaching staff at Bosie State University, and he had accepted the offer.
Fortunately, the Eagles had a perfect replacement in-house.
On Friday, Roche announced the head coaching job has been given to Tyler Knudsen, who has been on the COS football staff for eight seasons.
“He has great ideas and knows this school and program so well,” Roche said. “I’m grateful we have our program in the right hands. We’re lucky to have him here.”
Knudsen was named intern coach in April when Roche, the longtime football coach at COS, stepped down to take over as AD. He was the intern coach during fall training and was an assistant coach for the short period of time Collins was at COS.
Knudsen has been a part of the football program since 2013, having served as defensive coordinator, coaching special teams, and coaching the defensive backs.
“It's exciting,” Knudsen said about the opportunity to take the coaching reins. “I've been here for eight years and love it here. It’s a special place full of great people.”
To Knudsen, “it was just meant to be.”
“It is what it is,” Roche said about Collins' abrupt departure. He said he understands the job pays a lot more and gives Collins a chance to coach at a top-tier D1 program. Roche said the COS football program is moving on and feels lucky to have a great coach already in the fold that could take over in a seamless transition.
Knudsen lives in Weed with his wife Michelle, who is a counselor at COS, and their three-year-old son.
COS will begin football practices Feb. 10, and a four-game reduced season will begin in March. The fall football season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roche said Knudsen is a knowledgeable and passionate coach that does a great job working with and developing players. He makes the COS football program a positive place for players to develop both on and off the field, Roche added.
“He’s been extremely loyal to this program ... He knows the team and our program and I believe he will coach for us for a long time," Roche said.
Coaching is in Knudsen’s blood.
He played high school football for his dad, Chris, at Centennial High School in Gresham, Ore. His father coached high school football for 40 years. His grandfather, as well as an uncle, were head high school football coaches.
“He's a football coach. It runs in his family. He knows this sport so well,” Roche said.
"I don’t know anything else I would rather do," Knudsen said.
“I’m just happy it worked out this way, and he was here ready to take over,” Roche said.
Both Roche and Knudsen said it was a disappointment when Knudsen was not named the COS head coach last month. Although he did have other job opportunities, Knudsen said after long and serious discussions with his wife, they decided being at COS felt right and they wanted to stay in Siskiyou County.
“We decided this is where wanted to be at long-term,” Knudsen said. “I'm so glad we stayed. I believe everything happens for a reason.”
Knudsen said he's had time to think and reassess who he is as a coach and his goals for the program. His goal is to continue to build the program, contend for conference titles and make a bowl appearance each year. H also wants to do his part to help his players achieve success both on and off the field and help them move on to four-year programs.
Knudsen attended Chabot College where he played for Steve Da Prato and earned his Associates' degree in Liberal Studies before transferring to Western Oregon University and playing football for Duke Iverson and Arne Ferguson while achieving a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
He also holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Science from California University-Pennsylvania.
Prior to COS, Knudsen was at West Hills College in Coalinga, where he worked under former COS player/alumni and football coach, Cal Tincher (2010-2012). At WHCC, Knudsen worked in multiple capacities, including coordinating the defense, coaching special teams, working with multiple position groups, and was a resident advisor.
From 2007-2009, Knudsen had stops at Centennial High School, Western Oregon University, and Benson Polytechnic High School in Oregon.
Story Credit: www.siskiyoudaily.com