RIDGEFIELD – It turns out Ridgefield School District didn't have to look very far to find their next head football coach.
After conducting a national search that produced multiple out-of-state applicants, Ridgefield found their ideal candidate just up the road in Longview. Longtime Mark Morris High School assistant coach, Kim Ulman, was officially be hired as the Spudders’ next head football coach at the Feb. 23 school board meeting.
"Coach Ulman's extensive experience in the Greater St. Helen's League will be an asset in his new role as our head football coach. He has a proven track record of success," said Debbie Bentler, Ridgefield's athletic director.
Ulman, who is also a social studies teacher in the Longview School District, has served on the Mark Morris staff since 1999, including the past decade as the Monarch's offensive coordinator.
"I am excited about this opportunity. I look forward to working with the players, staff, and community," said Ulman. "Ridgefield's growth and tremendous community support of the schools and athletics makes it a perfect place to start my head coaching career."
As the offensive coordinator, Ulman has seen teams he has coached advance to the state quarterfinals twice and the state semifinals once.
Shawn Perkins, head football coach at Mark Morris, was enthusiastic in his praise of Ulman.
"Ridgefield is getting an exceptional coach in Kim Ulman who is a great leader and dynamic football strategist. We will certainly miss him at Mark Morris as he has been an integral part of our success that we have had over the past decade," said Perkins.
Ulman grew up in Kelso and graduated from Kelso High School in 1991 where he played on several successful football teams. He graduated with his Bachelor's Degree from Washington State University in 1996 and completed his Master's Degree from Lesley University in 2002. Ulman is also the head girls' golf coach at Mark Morris and a former wrestling assistant coach.
