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As summer vacation winds down and the school year approaches, the Lincoln High School Lynx football team is gearing up for a new season under the direction of incoming head coach Clay Packard. Wallyhood is excited to introduce Coach Packard to the Wallingford community in this exclusive Q&A.

Q: Please describe your background and coaching experience.

A: I grew up on Mercer Island and attended Washington State University, where I was a walk-on football player before a non-football injury ended my career. A few years into my professional career, in 2008, I was approached to coach, and I have been coaching on and off since then, at Seattle Prep, Bishop Blanchet, and now Lincoln.

Q: What was it about the LHS football program that convinced you to become the head coach here?

A: We are Queen Anne residents, so Lincoln is our family’s high school. Since the school reopened in 2019, I’ve had a watchful eye on the program’s progress. Over the last two years, I’ve felt increasingly more interested in being a head coach, and I wanted nothing more than to be serve in that role for the high school in my community. It’s a dream come true for me to not only have a positive impact on current Lynx players, but also the opportunity to coach my two sons in a few years, as well as all the future Lynx!

Q: Could you please describe your coaching philosophy as it pertains to high school student-athlete motivation?

A: My coaching philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, using football as a tool to develop student-athletes. The LYNX framework guides our players to become ethical and hardworking leaders who positively impact our community, with on-field success being a byproduct of building strong character. We focus on a holistic approach that builds confidence and resilience through physical, mental and emotional growth.

The LYNX framework is defined as::

Legacy: Be the community member others look to and strive to emulate.

Yield: Be committed to the task at hand to produce highly positive outcomes.

Next: Be prepared for any obstacle.

Xcellence: Be great through unrelenting pursuit of success.

Q: What do you feel are the biggest obstacles for the upcoming season?

A: This season’s primary obstacle is establishing a lasting foundation of trust. As the third head coach since the school reopened in 2019, I have to show the team I’m here for the long haul to support their growth. We’re also implementing new offensive and defensive systems, so clear communication is essential to get everyone on the same page. Finally, without an on-campus practice field, our late-night practice schedule (6:30 to 9 pm) is a constant concern: I’m hyper-aware of the need to prevent burnout and ensure our athletes can still manage their academic responsibilities.

Q: Given that LHS doesn’t have its own football field, what advice would you give to your team and supporters to turn this obstacle into something positive?

A: We are the only school in the Seattle Public School district without our own practice field, but we are committed to turning this obstacle into an advantage. By practicing at the same time as most of our games, our players’ bodies will be primed for late-night competition. I constantly remind our team that this is a hardship that they have overcome, which is something to be proud of. Ultimately, we need to focus on what we can control: our effort, preparation, and execution, knowing that fixating on our field situation is not worth our energy.

Q: Could you describe your training philosophy around proper nutrition, mental health, maintaining proper sleep schedules, etc?

A: When it comes to training my athletes, my philosophy goes beyond physical conditioning. We’ve spent the summer focusing heavily on strength and conditioning, but my ultimate goal is to instill good habits that will serve them for life. I keep my nutrition advice simple, focusing on protein, creatine, and avoiding junk food. Our late-night practice schedule is a constant concern. My priority is to prepare them for games while also ensuring they have time for academics and rest, to prevent burnout.

Q: What would you like from the community to support your coaching efforts?

A: If you have a non-high-schooler who’s interested in football, get them involved in the sport. There are flag football leagues through the Seahawks and Gridiron, as well as three local youth tackle programs: Ballard Knights, Interbay Eagles, and North Seattle Titans.

I truly believe no sport creates more community pride than football. We need the community’s support to continue building a strong program. If you are a business owner or manager, you can help by allowing us to post game-day flyers in your business, purchasing an ad in our game program, or donating pre-game meals for the team. To get involved, please email Camille Yocum, who is one of our football parent leads. We also accept direct donations from any community member.

In turn, the team is committed to giving back to the community by patronizing local businesses and participating in service events. For instance, at a neighborhood clean-up event in July, the team energetically tackled the task of picking up litter around Lincoln High School, along N 45th Street, and in Wallingford Park. The successful event was fueled by a much-appreciated donation of Eltana Bagels, a testament to the community support that powers the team.

 

 

 

 

Join Us for Game Day!

We’d love to see you in the stands this season. Come cheer on the Lynx—we can’t wait to see you there!

Kickoff	Date	Day	Opponent	Location	Home/Away
7:00 pm	9/5	Friday	Mercer Island	Mercer Island	Away
12:00 pm	9/13	Saturday	Lakeside	NWAC (Northwest Complex)	Home
7:00 pm	9/18	Thursday	Franklin	SWAC (Southwest Complex)	Away
7:00 pm	9/26	Friday	West Seattle	NWAC	Home
7:00 pm	10/3	Friday	Nathan Hale	NEAC (Northeast Complex)	Away
12:00 pm	10/11	Saturday	Ingraham	NWAC	Home
7:00 pm	10/17	Friday	TBD	SWAC	Away
7:00 pm	10/24	Friday	Chief Sealth	NWAC	Home
TBD	10/31	Friday	KingCo Crossover	TBD	TBD
TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD

It surely looks like the Lincoln football team is in capable hands, and with the support of the Wallingford community, we look forward to a bright future for Lincoln athletics. I like the fact that Coach Packard’s family is in the area and his sons will be attending Lincoln High School in the future, enhancing his commitment to the football program and the school community.