Q: What was the most memorable story or moment of your coaching career at Bothell?

A: In terms of a game, the Pasco nine-overtime game (a 43-40 playoff win in 2006) was really special. Just to see those kids, we had lost the game a number of times and they could have won it a number of times, but to persevere, keep fighting, and find within the strength to go another play over and over was pretty incredible. Some of the neatest times, though, have come when we go to Camp Brotherhood, and you get to see the kids bond and grow together, and build those relationships on and off the field, those are pretty special.

Q: What makes you “tick?” If there’s anything that irritates you to no end, what would it be?

A: One thing that irritates me to no end is people who quit, give up or don’t give it their all. Win, lose or draw, you can do your best, and that’s all we’ve ever asked, and all our parents have ever asked of us. Really, that’s all anyone above us would ask is for us to do our best, because we’re all capable of that. It just bothers me to no end when someone does something half-heartedly.

Q: If you could spend an evening with any three people in the world, who would they be, and why?

A: One would be my wife because we rarely get evenings to ourselves. My parents, as much as I’d like to, as well. I’ve lost two brothers in my life, I was young when they both passed away, and it would be great to have one more night with those guys.

Assistant coach Bill Christensen on Tom Bainter

“Back when he was coaching at Shorewood, when his first son Owen was being born, we were having one of our staff meetings in an old storage building. Around that time, I started to consider him being a mentor. I saw him getting ready to become a father, and I looked at him and thought, ‘This is somebody I want to emulate.’ He’s enjoyable to be around, very personable. The reason I coach is for the kids, but another reason is because I love being on his staff.”