Cary Nagel steps down as Tenino High School's football coach after six seasons

One of Tenino High School's favorite football mottos has been, "Small-town team livin' the dream!"

A lot of that had to do with what Cary Nagel built in his six seasons as a first-time coach.

After leading the program to back-to-back WIAA playoff appearances last fall for the first time in 35 years, Nagel, 42, abruptly resigned Thursday - less than six weeks before the start of training camp for the 2023 season.

Nagel did not disclose the exact reason for stepping down so suddenly, but in a letter to his coaches, players and parents, he noted there were "a series of circumstances" over the past few months that ultimately swayed him in his decision.

Three other assistant coaches also resigned Wednesday. No interim replacement has yet been announced.

"It was just time," Nagel said when reached by phone on Wednesday afternoon. "I had something that was telling me it was time to hang up the cleats in Tenino. Like I've said, there is a good stash of kids there. We've built it up pretty good there."

Nagel is a Shelton High School graduate and was an offensive coordinator at his alma mater under former coach Matt Hinkle, as well as an associate head coach at Franklin Pierce High School before taking over at Tenino in 2017.

The Beavers won five games in Nagel's first three seasons, but hit their power-football stride in 2021 when they went 10-2, won a WIAA playoff game and advanced to the Class 1A quarterfinals.

Last fall, they won the 1A Evergreen Conference title and were the league's No. 1 seed heading into the state playoffs, but they were upended by eventual state runner-up Mount Baker in the first round.

Nagel finished his tenure with a 26-31 record, but 19 of those victories came in the past two seasons.

"When I first got there, they were worried about teams in our league - and about playing them period," Nagel said. "We built that thing up where they were confident they were going to win every game."

As far as his decision to resign, Nagel said he met with Tenino players Wednesday morning before making his decision public.

"A lot of tears," he said. "It was a pretty emotional time. ... It's not fun seeing kids who are upset, and coaches who are upset."

Nagel said he will look at other head-coaching openings starting after the 2023 season.

"I am definitely not done coaching," Nagel said. "I think my resume I've put out shows I can get stuff done."