To Oscar Nunez, nothing is more important in life than family.
As a father of four girls and an AYSO coach for local youths over the past few years, he uses positive re-enforcement, encouragement and togetherness as his keys to coaching.
The goal is to keep that trend as the new head coach of The Dalles High School girls’ varsity team.
“Family means love, caring, unity and selflessness,” Nunez said. “I want the girls to love and care about each other like they would a sibling or their own mom. I want them to be a close team that competes together regardless of the outcome of a game. I know it starts with me. I took this position as head coach because I care about these girls already, as I have been watching them play for a couple years now as a parent. I think having that family bond will help us find success.”
Nunez takes over a soccer program that posted a 4-10-1 record last season, and lost seven players to graduation, but returns a solid core of defenders, perennial all-league midfielder Brooke McCall and an up-and-coming goalkeeper in Addison Klindt.
Although the team lost a good chunk of its depth, there is talent coming up and a good mix of athletes returning, like Ivorie Taylor, Emma Weir, Molly Taylor, Victoria Barragan and Jordyn Hattenhauer.
“I’m excited for this season because I think our new coach is going to do a lot with the program,” McCall said. “I think this coach brings a lot of positives and he is good at making us talk a lot more and be louder on the field. I’m looking forward to having him help our team.”
Nunez graduated from The Dalles High School in 2007, where he participated in soccer and track.
He played defense in his first two years, and was a midfielder as a junior, before capping his career as a forward during the 2007 campaign, earning all-league awards for his play.
On the track, he was a sprinter in the 100, 200 and 400-meter races, and was a 4x100-meter relay runner.
After high school, he attended Clark College from 2007-2009, 2007 as a forward, helping his team win the regional championship in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges league.
He was recently inducted into the Clark College Hall of Fame along with TDHS alumni Jesus Elias, David Eldridge and Jose Nunez.
When it came to making the selection of Nunez, TD athletic director Mike Somnis knew he had the right piece in place.
“Oscar Nunez is a great fit for our girls’ soccer program,” Somnis said. “He brings a deep connection to soccer in The Dalles and has a passion to see soccer flourish in our community.”
As a coach, Nunez preaches a positive attitude and work ethic, on and off the field. Much more important than playing, Nunez said that it is critical for kids to focus on education and maintaining a strict workout regimen.
Nunez said that he believes ultimate success lies in strong communication and teamwork.
“Not just between the players on the field, but at all levels,” he said. “From players to coaches to parents to teachers and school staff, we all need to work as a team to keep kids healthy and eligible. We will need every player healthy and on the field to be successful. Everyone will play a very important role on our team.”
In the past four years, The Dalles has gone from 29 goals scored in 2012, to 14 in 2013, up to 32 in 2014 and down to 20 last fall.
With the graduation of top scorer and all-league midfielder Hannah Walasavage, Nunez will implement some new attacks with forwards putting pressure on the opposing defenses to get the offense hitting at a higher rate.
Defensively, Ivorie and Molly Taylor and Weir helped TD to a better output with 39 goals allowed in 15 games, 13th in the state.
The team surrendered two goals or fewer eight times in 2015 and had a record of 4-3-1 with three shutouts.
Nunez plans to run a 4-4-2 formation, with some coverages for outside defenders and midfielders to take the ball up the field more when there is open space.
While much of the depth chart is yet to be figured out, the defense appears to be in good shape.
“There are a lot of great talented returning players, as well as new players coming in,” Nunez said. “I am very optimistic about what these girls can accomplish if we play as a team, communicate on the field and have confidence in their abilities. I am lucky to get such a great group. I look forward to being part of their growth and development on and off the field.”
Weir admitted that there will be an adjustment phase in the early parts of the season, and added that this group can adapt to new philosophical changes to get back to prominence.
“I think that having a new coach will be tough at first, but it might bring some new possibilities,” Weir said. “There are some new good skilled freshmen that should help our team out a lot. The returners are excited and nervous about the season, but I think that once we start practicing and get a few games in, we’ll be able to really focus on winning a championship.”
Nunez is expected to bring an exciting brand of soccer to The Dalles, a program that has gone 27-47-11 since the 2010 season.
The coach wants to implement a system of play that will work well with his roster, so the preseason will be used as a teaching tool and finding out what players fit in certain roles.
Nunez is looking forward to the challenge.
“Change can be difficult at times, but change can also be good,” Nunez said. “I believe if we all come in with an open mind and a positive attitude, we will adapt quickly. My focus will be to help my players grow and develop their skills. If we work hard to improve individually and as a team, the results will come.”
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