Sam Gooding selected as new offensive coordinator for Servite football

Sam Gooding is Servite’s new offensive coordinator. (Photo courtesy Servite athletics).

Servite High School officials on Tuesday announced that Sam Gooding has been hired as varsity offensive coordinator of the football team. Coach Gooding will replace former OC Sean Koelle who returned to his alma mater after two seasons with the Friars. 

Servite coach Troy Thomas said: “We are extremely excited about having Sam as our offensive coordinator. He will carry on the tradition of a tough and physical brand of Servite football. Dual threat quarterbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, fullbacks and tailbacks can all find a home in his offensive system. The offensive system is adaptable to the personnel and will change year to year depending on the current players strengths.

“Coach Gooding’s main off the field responsibility will be to get our guys opportunities at the next level as he will take over college recruiting. His vast experience at various levels of college recruiting will give our guys a huge advantage. Most importantly, Sam is a great man and I know he wants to help our guys become the best version of themselves.” 

Gooding has coached at the D1, D2, D3, NAIA and high school levels. Most recently, he served as an offensive line coach at the University of Wyoming after stops at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the University of Minnesota- Crookston, Southwest Minnesota State University, Dakota State University and the University of Illinois. 

His past experience ranges having worked with running backs, tight ends and the offensive line in addition to serving as a run game coordinator, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator, officials said.

“I am extremely excited to be at Servite High School,” Gooding said. “It is a special place where young men are developed into leaders in their communities, as evinced by the number of successful alumni in Orange County and across the country. As a product of Catholic schools, I am a strong believer in education rooted in the Catholic faith, and look forward to playing a part in the growth of our student-athletes, both on and off the field.” 

“I am very grateful for the opportunity that Coach Thomas has given me. Our goal as an offense is to put our guys in the best position for success. This means we must have a flexible system while maintaining our identity as a hard-nosed, physical unit. I can’t wait to get to work with these young men and help them reach their potential.” 

–Courtesy Servite athletics