x
Breaking News
More () »

Bainbridge hires Jeff Rouser as head football coach

Bainbridge hired former Kingston defensive coordinator Jeff Rouser to lead the Spartans program.
Jeff Rouser

Bainbridge hired former Kingston defensive coordinator Jeff Rouser to lead the school's football program.

Rouser spent the last four years at Kingston and has worked in youth football for a decade.

Rouser was a linebacker at the Air Force Academy, and now works as the vice president of client services for PlanetEcosystems.

He replaces Bainbridge coach Andy Grimm, who coached the Spartans for 17 seasons. The school announced it would seek a new football coach in December. Bainbridge football went 2-9 last season.

Here's more from the press release from Bainbridge Principal Duane Fish:

Bainbridge High School (BHS) will usher in a new era in Spartan football when Jeff Rouser takes the reins this spring as head coach. Rouser has spent the past decade moving up the ranks of football from serving as the catalyst for the youth program in Kingston to spending the past four years coaching at Kingston High School (KHS), most recently as the defensive coordinator of the football program.

"We couldn't have found a candidate more suited to lead the Spartan football program forward," said BHS Principal Duane Fish. "Coach Rouser is a perfect match for the Bainbridge community with a passion for developing athletes who take the student aspect of their high school experience very seriously, as well as a driven approach to fundamental football."

"I want to express my sincere thanks to Coach Grimm and his staff for their many years of dedication to the BHS football program," Rouser said. "As a coach and past opponent, I've always been impressed with BHS teams on the field execution, their determination, and their sportsmanship. And, as I've had the chance to meet the players, it is obvious the coaches have made a positive imprint, and that the players truly value their relationship with Coach Grimm and his staff."

Rouser, a Division 1 football recruit, was a linebacker with an Air Force Academy team who beat Notre Dame and won the Commander in Chief's Trophy. Professionally, he has a master's of business administration from Boston University and is the vice president of Client Services for PlanetEcosystems of San Francisco, California; however, Bainbridge Island is the community his family calls home.

In addition to his wife, Meisha, Rouser's accomplished family includes his son, Garrett, who played football at KHS, was a state champion track athlete and now attends Harvard. Jeff's daughter Cameron "Cammy" Rouser who is a junior at BHS and finished second in this year's Washington state 3A diving finals.

"I'm not here because I need a job," Rouser said. "I'm here because I see a huge opportunity to be a part of something special with the Spartan football program. I want to be a positive influence for the kids on and off the field, and work closely with the great resources in this community to generate enthusiasm and success for high school football on the island.

"We're excited about the future of Spartan football," Fish said. "And we wish to thank the members of our search committee for their excellent work in selecting Coach Rouser."

Before You Leave, Check This Out