Football Coach Finalists Named

Finalists named for Walla Walla High School Head Football Coach

Walla Walla High School is one step closer to having a new Head Football Coach at the helm next fall. Three finalists have been named for the position, made vacant with the recent resignation of Coach Greg Lupfer.

Nathen Bauer, Oliver Browning and Justin James will interview for the position Feb. 7 following an extensive search. Athletic Director Chris Ferenz is leading a comprehensive process that involves booster club members, parents, current and former players, coaches and administrators. Athletic Director Ferenz says he is pleased to see the amount of interest in the head football coaching position. He noted all three candidates have extensive coaching experience and have demonstrated the ability to coach at a high level.

Nathen Bauer grew up in Prosser where he played football for Prosser High School on a team that won the WIAA 2A State Title. He was also a standout wrestler in high school and college. He is currently a Physical Education Teacher at Apollo Middle School, Tucson, AZ. He is also a Linebacker and Football Defensive Analyst at Amphitheater High School in Tucson, AZ. Bauer has experience coaching offensive linemen, and was the head wrestling coach at Amphitheater High School for four seasons.

Oliver Browning grew up in Kennewick and graduated from Kennewick High School. He is currently a special education teacher for the Kennewick School District. Browning has 16 years of teaching and coaching experience in Kennewick and Vancouver. He is currently an assistant boys basketball coach and assistant football coach at Kamiakin High School. He also has basketball and football coaching experience at Kennewick High School and Hudson Bay High School in Vancouver, WA.

Justin James grew up in Walla Walla and graduated from Walla Walla High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. James is currently a 5th grade teacher at Sharpstein Elementary. He was the Wa-Hi Freshmen Head Football coach this season. He has been a football coach at Wa-Hi since 2009 in a variety of roles, including Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach. James also coached baseball at Wa-Hi for 11 years.

Ferenz expects to name a new coach some time in February.