The high school gridiron has long taught kids the value of teamwork, hard work, having a dream and going after it. And, if they’re really lucky, how all of that translates into the life beyond the uprights and cheering fans. Which is exactly what Ryan Bartlett, the new head football coach at White Bear Lake Area High School wants to do.
“I try to relate football to life as much as I can,” says Ryan. “I tell my guys that they’ve got to bring their maximum effort every day, whether they’re on the field or out there in the world; it’s all about effort.”
Ryan, who landed his first fulltime coaching gig at the tender age of 19 and is known for passionate, off-the-cuff speeches, took to the pigskin early. When most 4-year-olds would have trouble sitting through a few plays, wide-eyed Ryan was enthralled the whole way through.
“My grandpa would take me to the Fridley football games, and he’d bring me home and tell my parents that I just sat and watched; I didn’t want to run around or play with my friends,” he says. “I guess I’ve always just had a natural connection to the sport.”
His natural connection has led him from high school wide receiver to high school coach at Irondale High School, Armstrong High School, and now to WBLAHS, where he’ll take over the role that was vacated when longtime (and beloved) Bears coach Bob Jackson retired last year.
“I’m excited to be a part of this great program,” says Ryan. “Our biggest goal is to improve every week and to compete at our top potential. And, of course, another goal of mine is to help my guys be successful in life, too.”
For more info, visit the White Bear Football website.
