ANACORTES — The Anacortes School Board has accepted Charlie Bell’s resignation as head coach of the high school’s football team.
Bell coached the team for seven years, the first two as defensive coordinator. He took over the head coaching job when Ted Beyer resigned and served as head coach for five years. Bell has coached football in some capacity for 52 years.
Bell steps down with a 23-29 mark at Anacortes.
“There was no one thing,” Bell said. “I think my time had come. I’ve had a long career and I’m tired.”
In his resignation letter, Bell offered his assistance in any capacity to the next Seahawk head coach. He didn’t rule out coaching again in some capacity.
“I’ll do anything I can to help Anacortes football succeed,” Bell said.
Bell’s guided the Seahawks to the 2006 Class 2A state quarterfinals before falling to Centralia. The 49-22 win over Fife the week before was the school’s first state playoff victory since 1991.
The Seahawks have struggled recently, going 4-16 in the past two seasons, including 1-9 this year. His first three years Anacortes had a combined record of 19-13.
“I’ve had some very good young men,” Bell said. “I’ve enjoyed working with my coaches. We’ve had some really good competition in the Northwest Conference, from top to bottom. They’re can’t be many tougher, and I’ve been a lot of places. I love to compete. We’ve worked hard at it and I’ve enjoyed the challenge. But it’s time to move on.”
Before coming to Anacortes, Bell coached and taught at schools in Illinois, Kentucky and Arizona. He was head coach at Northwest Community Christian School in Phoenix, and his 1996 team won the 2A state championship. He was also defense coordinator of an Illinois team that won a 5A title in 1986.
