Bremerton High Coaches Index ACADEMIC COACH Justin Gillam ATHLETIC TRAINER Danitza Nicklow VARSITY COACHES Nate Gillam Dave Boynton Tony Boddie Bryan Hansen Jeff Sawicki Derrick Saulsberry JV COACHES R.J. Gossard Joe Kennedy Brandon Nall FRESHMAN COACHES Brennan Bermea Kevin Hooker Rob Tomlinson TEAM MANAGER Ron Belden

2008 SEASON LINKS COACHING STAFF NEWS ARCHIVE PHOTO GALLERY RECORDS ROSTER (Varsity) Jr. Varsity Freshman SCHEDULE (Varsity) Jr. Varsity Freshman SCOREBOARD STATS

 

< 2008 Knights Coaching Staff

Mission Statement Success as a team begins with individual efforts both on and off the field.  Our athletes will be leaders in the classroom, in the community and in their homes.  We will work together as a staff and team to prepare these young adults for challenges they will face in school and in life.  Our program will teach self-discipline, teamwork, responsibility, sportsmanship and safety.  We will make the game simple and fun.

Head Coach / Off. Coordinator -
Nate Gillam ('91)
(Bremerton High - Math Teacher)

Email: ngillam@bremertonfootball.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Gillam's

Records: Coach Gillam Era

This season marks Coach Gillam's fourth season as head coach of the Bremerton Knight's. As an alumnist, Gillam's football roots in the community extended all the way back to his Warren Ave. PeeWee football days.

A starting Halfback/Linebacker on the 1990 Washington State AA Semi-Final team, Gillam was an intrigal part of the high school football program the day he put his pads on for the first time. A two-year starter on the freshman team (8th & 9th grade), Gillam also letters all three years at the high school level.. His senior year he received 1st-Team All-Olympic League honors at both the Running Back and Linebacker positions. Additionally, his teammate voted him Mr. Football, Bremerton High's highest football honor. In the spring he played baseball and was voted Captain his senior season.

Following graduation Gillam enrolled at Boise State University (Boise, Idaho) and earned a Bronco uniform as a walk-on running back. Impressed with his speed, then current Head Coach Skip Hall, moved Gillam to the wide receiver where he was coached by Jim Zorn, inaugural Seattle Seahawk quarterback and current Seahawk Offensive Speacialist. Although a quick study, Gillam missed the contact associated with being a running back/linebacker and asked to be moved over to defensive back. With no prior experience at the position, Gillam walked away from the 1992 Broncos spring practice #2 on the defensive back depth chart and an athletic scholarship.

In 1994 the Broncos played for the NCAA Div. I-AA National Championship, losing 28-14 to Youngstown State, coached by current Ohio State University head coach Jim Tressel. In the CBS broadcast game, Gillam recorded five tackles, three solo, from his defensive back position.

After graduating with honors (3.65 gpa) with Bachelor Degree in Communication Training and Developement and a minor in Business, four football letters, and being named to Big Sky All-Academic Team four consecutive years in a row, Gillam was hired as a Boeing Account Representative. While at Boeing he began coaching sophomore football at Kamiak High School (Mukilteo, Wash.) and had the privelege of helping three Knights become NCAA Divsion I Oregon State University players. Additionally, he helped the Kamiak make three consecutive trips to post-season play.

Realizing his calling was in coaching and teaching, not corporate America, Gillam returned to school at Antioch University in Seattle to earn his Master in Education. In 2000 Jeff Weible hired him to help start the Shorewood High football program, which had three post-season appearances in Gillam's three seasons. In 2003 returned to the Kitsap Peninsula as an assistant at Peninsula High School.

Nate and his wife Leah have three sons, Nathaniel, Elliott, and Thomas.

Coach Gillam Knights Coaching Record Season LEAGUE OVERALL Won Lost Perc Won Lost Perc 2005 0 7 .000 0 10 .000 2006 0 6 .000 1 9 .100 2007 0 7 .000 1 9 .100 Overall 0 20 .000 2 28 .066

Notable Football Connections Al Borges Offensive Coordinator, Auburn Univ. (former BSU Off. Coord.) Ron Gould Running Back Coach, California (former BSU DB Coach & mentor) Tom Mason Linebacker Coach (former BSU Def. Coord.) Kimo Von Oelhoffen Pittsburgh Stealers (former teammate)

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Offensive Philosophy:  We will have simple blocking schemes, a limited playbook that is run perfectly from multiple formations, discipline and perfect execution with an attitude of confidence and toughness.

Email: dboynton@bremertonfootball.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Boynton's

Coach Boynton returns for his fourth season as Bremerton High football coaching staff. His coaching experience totals more than 10-years and included basketball, fastpitch, and football.

A Washington State native, Boynton graduated from Bellingham High (Bellingham, Wash.) in 1972. On Friday night he played Offensive Tackle and Defensive End for the Red Raiders.

Following graduation he moved south to attend the University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, Wash.). In 1976 he graduated with Bachelor of Science in Public Administration. For the last twenty-nine years he has worked in Kitsap County, either for the City of Bremerton (22-years and counting) or Kitsap Coummunity Resources (7-years).

"I belief in being involved in the community and what better way than to help out young man learn life skills though a team sports. I support and belief Coach Nate Gillam and what he has to offer the Student Athlete, Bremerton High School, and the City of Bremerton."

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Defensive Philosophy:  The defensive unit will be a multiple front, gap responsible defense.  It will be adjusted on an as need basis dependant upon the opponent’s offense.  The ability to run this defense will be determined by the personnel on the team and will be adjusted as necessary.  The base defensive scheme will be a 4-3 front with multiple pass coverage options.

Email: dsauls@hotmail.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Saulsberry's

This season begins Coach Saulsberry's third year as an assistant coach with the Bremerton High Varsity football program.

Saulsberry is very familiar with the tradition and pride of wearing Blue & Gold, being that he was a teammate of Head Coach Nate Gillam and Assistant Coach Ron Torres on the 1988, 1989, and 1990 teams. As a wide receiver, Saulsberry caught quaterback Torres' passes, then stopped the opposing teams sweeps as an outside linebacker.

A 2nd-Team All-Olympic League player on offense and defense, Saulsberry packed his gear after graduating in 1991 and traveled to Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, Wash.) with Torres to play for the Warriors.

After college, Saulsberry played nine seasons of semi-pro football with the West Sound Orcas/Saints. He was a key part of the Saints 2005 National Championship season.

Derrick current lives in Bremerton, Wash., and has three sons (Easton, Derrick Jr., and Demitri. Like their father, all three sons excel at football.

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Special Teams Philosophy:  This often overlooked aspect of the game is equally one-third of our overall package.  Special teams can determine the outcome of a game in short periods of time.  We will run multiple kick packages and return packages that will give our team an advantage.  We will practice special teams on a daily basis.

Email: jsawicki@wavecable.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Sawicki's

This is Coach Sawicki's second season on the Knights coaching staff. In 2006 he was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Olympic High Trojans.

Born and raised in New England in the town of Naugatuck, Connecticut, Coach Sawicki graduated from Naugatuck High School, home of the Greyhounds, in 1983.

In the mid-eighties he journeyed to the west coast to play defensive line for Coach Gene Scattini at Foothill College (Los Altos Hills, Calif.). After his playing career ended, he transitioned into his first coaching job as interior defensive line coach for the Owls, participating in the 1990 Santa Cruz Lions Bowl. Later, in 1994, he enrolled at San Jose State University (San Jose, Calif) where he would eventually return to earn his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude 2002). Currently, Coach Sawicki is enrolled in the Secondary Teaching Program through National University and will be teaching at Bremerton in the fall.

In 1992, following his two-year coaching stint at Foothill he moved on to coach the Carlmont High offensive and defensive lines. He then joined the San Jose State University staff, under Head Coach John Ralston, former NFL player and pro football Hall- of-Famer, where he worked mostly with special teams. He returned in 1996 to Foothill College, under new Head Coach Marshall Sperbeck, as Offensive Line coach. His first coaching league and district championship came in 2002 with the Mountain View Marauders (Mt. View, Calif.) under head coach Darrel Archie . The Marauders season ended with a lose to Oakland in a Northwest Regional Championship game. Prior to moving north to Washington State, Sawicki coached offensive line and defensive ends at Menlo School, a private school in Menlo Park, Calif. He left following 2003 season, after Meno had compiled an impressive 8-3 record and earned their first playoff appearance in 7 years. Coaching experience at the National Offense/Defensive camps along with several volunteer positions can also be found on Coach Sawicki's resume.

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Email: tony.boddie@us.nestle.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Boddie's

Coach Boddie begins his four season as an Assistant Coach for the Bremerton Knights.

A 1978 graduate of Bremerton High, Boddie was the Denver Broncos Special Teams Captain for Super Bowl XXII in San Diego, a game the Broncos lost 40-to-10 to the Washington Redskins.

Boddie rushed for 1,008 yards his senior year in high school, helping the Knights to the state 3A semifinals. Boddie, however, didn't play in that 3-0 loss to Ingraham after being injured the previous week in a victory over No. 1-ranked Sumner.

Following an outstanding career at Montana State, Boddie signed with the newly formed United States Football League. In his first USFL game, a nationally-televised game, Boddie stole the thunder from Herschel Walker and the New Jersey Generals as he rushed for 128 yards and led the Los Angeles Stars to victory.

"Boddie wasn't flashy, but he ran hard and could catch the ball out of the backfield. He was a backup tailback and special-teams standout two years with the Broncos." - (Kitsap Sun, Athletes of the Century)

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Weight Training Philosophy: Weight training and conditioning are essential in order to maintain health and safety as well as build team chemistry.   Most of the work will be done in the off-season.  All athletes will be expected to participate in the team workout plan or get permission from the coach to deviate.  Athletes participating in other sports will be expected to stay in athletic shape as necessary.  Workout requirements will be monitored by both teammates and coaches.  Athletes will be acknowledged for their hard work.

Email: bdhansen@hotmail.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Hansen's

This will be Coach Hansen's fourth season on the sideline for Bremerton High football.

A native of Hot Springs, South Dakota, Hansen was a four-year varsity fullback and linebacker for the Hot Springs Bison under head coach Gary Glenn. In 1974 the Bison won the Black Hills Conference Championship. His senior year he received Honorable Mention Black Hills Conference honors.

Following high school graduation, Hansen enlisting in the U.S. Navy and attending basic training in San Diego, California. A Hospital Corpsman by training, he spend the majority of his 20-year career with the Marine Corp in Okanawa, Camp Pendleton (Calif.) and a tour of duty in the Gulf War with a reserve helicopter unit out of Bueford, South Carolina. He also did a tour of duty at Naval Hospital Puerto Rico, Preventive Medicine Tech. School, Naval Hospital San Diego, Naval Hospital Guam and finally Naval Hospital Bremerton. Retiring in 1999, Hansen currently works for the Naval Hospital as an Industrial Hygene Technician.

Coach Hansen began coaching locally with the North Perry PeeWee's in 1994. Under his tutelage the 1997 B-String team won the Kitsap County PeeWee Championship. When Nate Gillam was hired as the Knights new head coach and spread the word he was looking to build a new coaching staff Hansen answered the call.

Bryan lives with his wife Kimberly (Bremerton Cheer Coordinator), son Brandon (starting fullback) and daughter Bethany (Bremerton cheerleader) in Bremerton, Wash.

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Email: joseph.a.kennedy@navy.mil

Photo Gallery: Coach Kennedy's

This is Coach Kennedy's first year coaching Bremerton High football.

A 1988 graduate of Bremerton High, Kennedy served three years in the US Army before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. During his twenty year career, he worked as a Diesel Mechanic, Logistics Maintenance Manager, Marksman Rifle/Pistol Instructor, Basic Reconnaissance Swim Instructor, Amphibious Attack Instructor, Demolition Instructor, Leadership Instructor, and Martial Arts Instructor. His tours of duty include: MCRD San Diego, Camp Lejeune (North Carolina), Camp Hansen (Okinawa, Japan), Pohang (South Korea), MCAGCC 29 Palms (Calif.), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Little Creek (Virg.), Camp Fuji (Japan), RS Boise (Idaho), RS Lewiston (Idaho), RSS Moscow (Idaho), RS Bellingham (Wash.), Kaneohe Bay (Hawaii), and Portland (Ore.). He was with the US Forces in Desert Shield/Storm.

A member of the Naches High (Naches, Wash.) football team, Kennedy was a late bloomer and started excel while playing for “The Bone Crushers”, the Marine Corps team in Hawaii.  He led the team in sacks for two consecutive years, as a defensive end, and was honored with the Iron Man award, for starting every game. He was also selected to the West Coast League Championship team.

When asked why he returned to Bremerton to coach, he said, "I was out running one day in a Bremerton Football shirt, given to me by my wife. The Athletic Director, George Duarte, stopped me and inquired about the shirt. We talked and he encouraged m to apply. My daughter thought it would be" cool", so here I am teaching what I love.".

Kennedy's and his wife, who works for the Bremerton School District, have four children, three attend Bremerton schools.

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Email: bmichael509@hotmail.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Nall's

This is Coach Nall's first year on the Bremerton High Football Coaching staff.

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Email: toaskungfu@gmail.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Gossard's

This is Coach Gossard’s first season as a football coach at Bremerton High School.   Alongside friends and teammates Nate Gillam and Derrick Saulsberry, RJ was a three-year varsity letterman (’88, ’89 and the 1990 - Olympic League Champions).  He was also a two-year starter on the freshman team (8th & 9th grade), following several Pee-Wee county championship seasons in East Bremerton.

At the conclusion of the 1990 football season, RJ seized an opportunity to finish his last semester of high school in Asia.  After spending a few years living and working in Japan, he enlisted in the US Navy and was trained as an Intelligence Analyst/Interpreter [Arabic Linguist] (CTI). 

Happily returning home after years abroad, Coach Gossard is eager and enthusiastic to help Coach Gillam share with this next generation of Bremerton High student-athlete the foundations for success on the field, in the classroom, in the home, and on the street. He believes that "it is through football, the ultimate team game, that young men can be taught respect, focus, perseverance, leadership and Knight Pride!"

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Email: dreaded_dreams@hotmail.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Bermea's

This is Coach Bermea's second year as a Bremerton Knight football coach.

A 2006 Olympic High graduate, Bermea played Offensive Guard / Defensive Line for the Trojans. His senior year football honors include: All-West Sound (Defensive Line), All-Kitsap County (Guard), 1st Team All-Narrows League Bridge Division (Defensive Line), Best Varsity Lineman (Olympic Trojans), and Most Inspirational (Olympic Trojans). For the 2004-05 school year, he was the Trojan Pride Award recipient.

Last season Bermea suited up for Coach Fred Slaughts and the Rangers of NW Oklahoma State University (Alva, Okla.). His advice to players moving far away from home for the first time to play college football is, "stay open minded and make lots of friends. Friends on the team, in the student body, and in the community give you a rest to like and enjoy a new and unfamiliar place." Bermea returned to Kitsap County to coach because the college football staff that recruited him was replaced.

Brendan is currently single and lives in Brownsville, Wash.

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Email: kevin.hooker@navy.mil

Photo Gallery: Coach Hooker's

This is Coach Hooker's second season coach football. His focussed specifically on the freshman team and filming the varsity games.

An Honorable Mention All-League linebacker his senior year, Hooker also player tight end for Bremerton Head Football Coach Eric Canton.

After graduationg from Bremerton High in 1998, Hooker chose to play baseball instead of football in college. As an Olympic College Ranger, he started at first base and also saw time as a relief pitcher. He transfered to University of Washington his junior year and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. He works for Code 134 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, as a chemist.

Previously, Hooker coached in the American League Baseball program.

Single, Hooker currently lives in Bremerton, Wash.

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Email: robert.tomlinson@ci.bremerton.wa.us

Photo Gallery: Coach Tomlinson

This is Coach Tomlinson first year on the Bremerton High Football Coaching staff.

An Hawaiian native, Tomlinson was a four sport high school athlete.  He lettered in wrestling all four years and won the Arizona State Championship (145 lbs) his senior year. In football he lettered three consecutive years and was a member of the 1988 Snowflake (Snowflake, Ariz.) State Championship team. He senior year, at Mogollon High (Heber, Ariz.), he tied the state record for most touchdowns in a single game, with 7, and was an All-Region and All-State Wide Receiver selectee. In the spring, he was a three year baseball letterman and named to the All-Region and All-State team his senior year as a second baseman. Additionally, his senior year, he lettered in Track and placed 3rd in the 4 x 100 relay at the Arizona State Track Championship with three other of baseball teammates.

After a great academic and athletic High School career Coach Tomlinson briefly attended college.  Finding that college wasn't his calling at the time, he joined the military.  Much to his surprise, the day he graduated from bootcamp Iraq invaded Kuwait.  He spent his first year in the military deployed to the Persian Gulf.  During his 11 year military career, he was invited to audition for the All-Navy wrestling team.  A separated shoulder ended his wrestling career.  While stationed in San Diego, he auditioned for and made the roster for the All-Navy Baseball team.  They competed against and beat the US Marine team at Jack Murphy Stadium in 1996.  He also played Semi-pro baseball for the San Diego Braves and in 1997 the Braves won the NABA Men's Open World Series in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 2003, Tomlinson started coaching football youth football.  In his first year, he took a young East Bremerton to a 8-2 record.  In 2004, he won a "D" level pee-wee championship and led the team to an undefeated season.  In 2005, at the "C" level, as the #1 seed in the playoffs they lost on a cold, wet, windy and muddy game and lost their bid to repeat as champs.  In both 2006 and 2007, he led his teams to two undefeated seasons, and won the County Football championships in both the "C" and "D" levels.  In 4 years he has accumulated a record of 40-4.  In 2007, took his East Bremerton football team and played up a level in the Auburn Gridiron Classic.  His team of 11-12 years old placed 3rd, in the 13-15 year old division.

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Email: justingillam@gmail.com

Photo Gallery: Coach Justin Gillam's

This is Coach Gillam's first year on the Bremerton High Football coaching staff. His primary focus is help the players stay academically eligible for football season. He monitoring weekly grade checks, conducting bi-weekly study tables after school, and tutors individual students. Having worked in college admission, Gillam also provides assistance to parents in preparing their student-athlete for college.

A 1997 graduated of Bremerton High, Gillam played two-year of varsity football, running back and cornerback, his sophomore and junior years under head coach Bob Batterman. He did not play his senior year due to injury. Following high school graduation Gillam enrolled at Olympic College, where he spent the next two years earning an Associate of Arts Degree. From there he transferred to Washington State University (WSU) for his final two years of college, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History. After college he remained at WSU and work in the Office of Admissions and for the Vice President of Student Affairs.  In 2008, he completed his Masters Degree in Education and Teaching Certificate at Antioch University.  

Gillam currently lives in Bremerton, and works for Bremerton, Central Kitsap, and the Peninsula School Districts as a substitute teacher.

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Email: danitza.nicklow@bsd.wednet.edu

Photo Gallery: Trainer Nickow's

The 2008-09 school year is Danitza Nicklow's second season as Bremerton High Athletic Trainer.

A graduate of Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, Penn.), with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training, she is not bashful about telling you that Duquesne "is the top rated athletic training program in the country."

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is where Nicklow was born and raised. At Oakland Catholic, an all-girls diocesan high school in Pittsburgh, she played four years of varsity volleyball as a setter, and was Captain for both her junior and senior years. Additional, she played catcher for the Eagle's fastpitch softball team for two seasons.

In June, Danitz married her high school sweetheart, Benjamin Nicklow, who attended the all-boys Catholic High School across town. Benjamin is a Machinist Mate Third Class and is stationed onboard the USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730)(BLUE) at Subase Bangor.

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Email: belden7@earthlink.net

Photo Gallery: Manager Belden's

This is Ron Belden's second year as the Knights' equipment manager.

A Lacy, Wash., native, Belden attended Timberline and North Thurston High Schools. He moved to Bremerton with his wife Wendy to raise their five children, 3 boys and 2 girls. Before retiring, he worked for the City of Bremerton in the Water Department.

With three active sons, Belden has been involved in youth sports for close to 14 years. He coached football and baseball for both the North Perry and Westgate Pee Wee Associations before joining the Bremerton High staff.

"I love football, getting to know and working with the kids. I will do anything I can to help."

Ron and Wendy currently live in East Bremerton with their two youngest children, Jacob and Emily.

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