Powell returns to Outlaws football

Clyde Powell was the assistant head coach for the Outlaws when they won back-to-back state titles in 1998 and 1999, and he's back at the helm as the Outlaws' new head football coach.

"I've always appreciated the Sisters School District, and to be asked to be back as head coach is pretty humbling," he said.

Powell has been involved in coaching for the major part of his adult life and will brings years of experience to the Outlaws program.

Clyde started his coaching career with a 16-year stint as the head football coach at Mt. View High School. He was the assistant head coach at Linfield College from 2000-2006. During those years he had various responsibilities including football recruiting coordinator, quarterback coach, assistant offensive line coach, tight end coach and linebacker coach. Between 2000 and 2005 Linfield appeared in 13 NCAA playoff games, 20 new school records were set, and the team had winning streaks that included a 16-game regular season streak and a 30-game conference winning streak.

Some of Powell's professional achievements include being named one of the top 10 regional coaches, being head coach for eight all-star games, and assistant head coach during the time that Linfield compiled a 60-6 record and won the 2004 NCAA Division III National Championship.

Clyde's coaching philosophy is pretty simple: "Treat the kids like I want my kids, or grandkids to be treated. I want every kid who plays football at SHS to look back upon his time with the team as one of the great memories of his life."

When asked about his best coaching memories, Powell easily came up with his top two.

"Probably my best coaching memories, outside of the kids I've worked with, are winning the second state title in a row with the Outlaws and winning the National Championship while I was a coach at Linfield. The Linfield championship was kind of a family affair, as one of my sons was part of the Linfield coaching staff. I remember walking into our boarding area for the flight home, and the players were playing the song, 'We are the Champions.' I think the team could have flown back to Oregon without a plane!"

Powell's wife, Claudia, is a retired school teacher, and together they have three sons. Casey coaches at Seattle University, Ryan is a pro scout with the Saints and Sean is a firefighter and photographer. The Powells are proud grandparents of four, with two in Seattle and two in New Orleans.