After taking Amity to four consecutive state championships, and then taking Blanchet from not having a football program to three consecutive playoff appearances, Jeff Flood is taking over at 103 year old North Salem High.

Flood is already a teacher and the boys’ golf coach at North Salem. “Obviously, this is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, since I work there.” Flood said. “I’ve never been able to teach full time and actually coach in the same building in 16 years. That really excites me a lot; I feel I’m really connected to these students here through my teaching. To have an opportunity to extend that to the playing field is exciting for me.”

Flood brings his version of the wing-T offense to the 6A Central Valley League, and also his long time defensive coordinator, Jon Tromblay. Tromblay, who was with Flood at both Amity and Blanchet, and Justin Hubbard will bring the speed based “30” defense to the Vikings.

Existing North Salem assistants will remain to round out the staff. Flood noted “There are a lot of talented coaches, with a lot of experience, here that I look forward to working with. I think it would be foolish to overlook the impact those coaches have had with the kids here.”

Flood, a Sprague graduate, who played for Robin Hill, now a chief rival, was 93-18 in ten years at Amity. That mark included a 19-3 post season record, as the Warriors went to the playoffs seven times in ten years from 1992 thru 2001. Amity claimed four consecutive 2A state championships in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001. All while having to overcome Dewey Sullivan’s Dayton teams just to get to the top of their league.

Blanchet lured Flood to east Salem in 2002 to build a football program from scratch. Despite the inevitable startup losses, Flood led Blanchet to a 31-27 record over 6 years, and three consecutive playoff appearances from the tough Tri-River league (two before redistricting sent some of the toughest teams to a higher class), beginning in 2004, the programs’ third season. In 2005, the Cavaliers reached the 2A quarterfinals.

Blanchet now faces the task of replacing Flood. “There really is nobody who can replace him, doing what he did, creating what he created.” said Blanchet Athletic Director Ron Miller. “He’s very skilled, very capable. I thought he would be picked up by a 6A program before now. We thought he would go sooner, and we knew he wouldn’t be here forever.”

Outgoing North Salem Coach Robert Cary led the Vikings to a 7-4 record, and their only state playoff appearance since 1992, in his first year, 2004. Cary also led the Vikings to their first win over rival South Salem in 17 years in 2006. However, North Salem was only 2-7 in 2007, after a 4-6 2006 campaign, and a 1-9 2005 season, for an overall 14-26 mark.

North Salem Athletic Director Adam Watkins said “There were just tremendous advantages I saw with Jeff. He knew our kids, and he is a very experienced and respected coach. Very knowledgeable, as proven by his record. He teaches in the building, so that was another incentive, the fact that I didn’t need to find a place for an out-of-season coach the rest of the year. Jeff was the best, most qualified candidate. I’m thrilled that he would be interested in wanting to come to North Salem.”

North Salem is in the middle of a fundraising campaign to install artificial turf on the football field. Watkins indicated one third of the funds have been raised, and is optimistic that the new surface will be ready this football season, as the Vikings open with three road games.

According to Flood, the change was still a tough decision. “I think a lot of people outside are saying this is an easy choice to make the jump. I would say it was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever made, maybe harder than the last career move I made (to start the Blanchet program).”

“The quality of the players I’ve had, and the phenomenal group of kids I’d have coming back, that are a joy to coach, and just a joy to see every day. And the people I worked for at Blanchet were just outstanding, some that I have known for 10 years or more. That said, I’ve weighed that, and said I would like to look into this opportunity.” An opportunity to take the Flood magic to the highest level of Oregon high school football.

If the results at Amity and Blanchet are any indication, the Central Valley could be looking at a new challenger.

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