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After six years in charge of the Tumwater football program, Bill Beattie announced his intentions to step down as the Thunderbirds’ head coach Monday.
Beattie went to Tumwater in his own high school days, entering as a freshman in Sid Otton’s first year with the Thunderbirds and playing from 1974-77. Four decades later in 2017, he became the one to replace Otton, after the winningest coach in Washington high school football history retired following the 2016 season.
After his playing career ended, Beattie came back to Tumwater as an assistant coach. He earned his first head coaching position in 1988 at Elma, and moved to Olympia High School in 1995.
After 22 years and 164 wins with the Bears, Beattie brought his career full-circle, taking over for the coach he once played for.
“I am forever grateful for those players, coaches, schools, and communities,” he said in a statement posted to Twitter on Monday. “They all were extraordinary times for us as a family. I feel blessed to have served these programs, and feel that it is time to call it a career.”
In six seasons under Beattie, the Thunderbirds went 60-10 and reached three 2A state title games, winning it all in 2019.
“To all the players, coaches, high school staff, and community for maing this past six years a Tumwater an experience I will never forget, words cannot express how thankful I am for your support and friendships developed over the years,” Beattie said in his statement. Tumwater is truly a special place.”
