Coach Tom Coate Leads the Rise of Grace Football to a CIF Championship

When Grace School relaunched its football program in 2021, it began with vision, faith, and a commitment to build something lasting. At the center of that vision was Head Football Coach Tom Coate.

Grace football started as an eight-man program during Coach Coate’s first season in 2021. What began as a foundational year quickly became a steady climb. Over the next two seasons, Coach Coate patiently and purposefully grew the program, developing young athletes, building a culture of discipline, and establishing a Christ-centered identity. The growth was undeniable. In 2023, Grace finished as runner-up in the CIF Southern Section finals in eight-man football — a remarkable milestone for a young program.

But the vision did not stop there.

In 2024, Grace transitioned to 11-man football and entered the season as an independent program. Rather than simply survive the transition, the Lancer football team thrived. The following season, Grace joined the Citrus Coast League and promptly went undefeated. In fact, over the past two seasons in league play, Grace has not lost a single game.

The journey reached its pinnacle this past season when Grace captured the CIF Southern Section Division 12 Championship. This was an historic moment that reflected years of prayer, perseverance, and purposeful leadership. 

For the second consecutive season, our championship football team stood unrivaled—finishing undefeated in the Citrus Coast League and earning the league title for the second year in a row. The majority of the team earned First Team All–Citrus Coast League honors, highlighted by junior Riley Williams, who in his very first season as a starting quarterback was named Offensive Player of the Year—a remarkable achievement that speaks to both his leadership and poise under pressure.

Beyond league recognition, five of our athletes were selected to the prestigious All–Ventura County Team across multiple positions, solidifying their impact on the field among the county’s very best. Just as impressive, seven players were named First Team All–Ventura County Academic with GPAs above 3.5, demonstrating that their commitment to excellence extends well beyond Friday nights. In total, 20 of our 30 rostered athletes received First Team honors in some capacity this season—an extraordinary testament to the culture, character, and championship standard that defines this program.

Under Coach Coate's leadership, Grace football has become more than a competitive program. It has become a platform for discipleship, character development, and mentorship. Players are taught to pursue excellence on the field while anchoring their identity in Christ. The emphasis on accountability, brotherhood, and servant leadership reflects the broader mission of Grace School — preparing young men not just for athletic success, but for life.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Coate to reflect on the incredible journey, from eight-man beginnings to an 11-man  CIF championship, and to hear his heart for the future of Grace football.

Below is our conversation.

To begin, can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? What were you doing before becoming the head football coach at Grace, and how did you feel God leading you into this coaching role?

1. Before coming to Grace, I spent over two decades serving as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, leading teams in high-pressure environments where trust, discipline, and character mattered deeply. When I arrived at Grace, I felt God clearly leading me toward using football as a ministry, not focused on wins, but on shaping young men to lead, serve, and honor Christ in all areas of life.

When you first arrived at Grace five years ago, what was it like starting a brand-new eight-man football program? How did you approach building a team with the students who were already on campus?

1. Starting an eight-man program from scratch was both exciting and humbling. We did not recruit; we built with the students God had already placed on campus. The focus was simple: create a safe, disciplined, and joyful environment where effort, growth, and commitment mattered more than experience or talent.

From the beginning, what values and principles—both as a coach and as a follower of Christ—did you want this program to be built upon?

1. From day one, the foundation was faith, toughness, accountability, and love for one another. We wanted a program rooted in Christ, where players worked hard, served others, respected authority, and understood that who they become off the field matters more than what they accomplish on it.

How does your Christian faith shape the way you coach, lead, and relate to your athletes on and off the field?

1. My faith shapes everything I do as a coach. I try to lead the way Christ led, firm but compassionate, demanding yet forgiving. I coach with the belief that every player is made in God’s image, and my role is to develop their gifts while pointing them toward truth, humility, and purpose.

What motivates you as a coach? How do you encourage and inspire your athletes to grow—not just as football players, but as young men of character and faith?

1. What motivates me most is watching young men grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. I encourage them by setting high standards and walking alongside them through adversity. We talk often about perseverance, servant leadership, and trusting God when things are difficult.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while building and sustaining this program, and how has God been faithful through those challenges?

1. Building a program with limited numbers, resources, and experience was challenging. There were moments of uncertainty. God was faithful through each season, providing the right players, families, and support at the right time, and reminding us to trust the process and stay rooted in Him.

Looking back, what have been some of the most enjoyable or meaningful moments in your coaching career at Grace—especially during this 2025 historic season?

1. The 2025 season was incredibly special, not just because of championships, but because of the brotherhood, resilience, and character this team displayed. Seeing our players lead one another, pray together, and overcome adversity was the greatest reward.

When it comes to strategy, how do you prepare for games each week? What does a typical practice plan look like, and how do you balance discipline, development, and encouragement?

1. Preparation is intentional and structured. We emphasize fundamentals, film study, and disciplined practice. Each week is planned to balance accountability with encouragement, pushing our athletes to improve while reminding them why they play and who they represent.

How important are nutrition, physical conditioning, and overall physiological health in preparing your players to compete? How do you teach athletes to view their bodies as something God has entrusted to them?

We teach our players that their bodies are a gift from God. Nutrition, sleep, strength training, and recovery are acts of stewardship. Taking care of their bodies honors God and prepares them to compete at their best, both on and off the field.

For younger students who hope to play football at Grace one day, what advice would you give them as they prepare—physically, mentally, and spiritually—for high school athletics?

1. Prepare by being disciplined in the small things, your effort, attitude, and character. Train your body, sharpen your mind, and grow in your faith. Football at Grace is about commitment, brotherhood, and honoring God through excellence.

In your experience, what makes Grace School—and its football program—distinct from other schools and programs in the Simi Valley area?

1. Grace is different because faith is not an add-on; it is the foundation. The football program is an extension of the school’s mission to develop servant leaders. Players are known, cared for, and challenged to grow as whole individuals.

After back-to-back undefeated league championships, a CIF Division 12 title, and a regional state runner-up finish, what do you hope your legacy will be at Grace, and what do you pray God continues to do through this program?

1. I hope the legacy is one of faith, toughness, and love. I want our players to leave Grace prepared to lead their families, communities, and churches. My prayer is that God continues to use this program to shape hearts, strengthen character, and glorify Him far beyond the scoreboard.

Coach Coate’s impact can be measured in championships, undefeated seasons, and program growth. But perhaps his greatest achievement is the culture he has built that reflects integrity, humility, and unwavering faith.

Grace School exists to equip students spiritually, academically, and athletically. The success of the football program stands as a testimony to what can happen when that mission is lived out consistently and intentionally.

-Allan Vince, Athletic Director, Grace Jr/Sr High, 2025/2026