Bring Back Coach Prince - A Community Petition to Reinstate Coach Prince as Ballard High School Football's Head Coach

We, the parents, players, alumni, and supporters of the Ballard High School football program, respectfully call upon Ballard High School and Seattle Public Schools district leadership to reinstate Coach Prince immediately. This petition reflects the unified voice of a community that has witnessed, firsthand, the extraordinary and lasting impact Coach Prince has had on the young men of Ballard High School.

More Than a Coach — A Mentor and a Leader

Coach Prince is more than a football coach. He is a mentor, a role model, and a trusted adult in the lives of countless Ballard High School athletes. For many of our sons, being part of the Ballard football program under Coach Prince's leadership is about far more than wins and losses.

He teaches and instills in each player:

Discipline and accountability — holding players to high standards on and off the field
Resilience and mental toughness — preparing them for challenges beyond sports
Teamwork and respect — building a culture of brotherhood and mutual support
Confidence and self-belief — nurturing their growth as young men and future leaders
Coach Prince builds genuine relationships with his players. He encourages them during difficult moments, celebrates their successes, and creates a true sense of brotherhood within the program. Parents trust him. Players look up to him. The community rallies behind him. Coach Prince IS Ballard Football.

The Case for Reinstatement

The departure of Coach Prince represents a significant and measurable loss to the Ballard football program. His absence will be felt immediately and profoundly — not just in wins and losses, but in the culture, spirit, and identity of the team. His motivational influence cannot simply be replaced.

According to a 2022 report by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), dedicated coaching is vital for the holistic development of student-athletes. Coaches who invest in their players' overall well-being — beyond the basics of X's and O's — contribute significantly to both athletic success and the long-term positive outcomes of student-athletes. Coach Prince exemplifies exactly this standard of coaching excellence.

The skills Coach Prince cultivates in his players — confidence, teamwork, resilience, accountability — are not just athletic virtues. They are life skills that will serve these young men long after their playing days are over. That is the hallmark of a transformational coach, and it is exactly what Ballard High School stands to lose.

A Call for Transparency and Accountability

It is the understanding of this community that Coach Prince's departure was not fully voluntary. This raises serious concerns to be addressed. Parents, players, and supporters deserve clear and honest communication regarding the circumstances surrounding this decision.

We are asking school and district leadership to provide:

• Meaningful transparency about the process and considerations that lead to his departure, to the extent legally permissible
• Address the significant impact this decision and the lack of communication surrounding it has on players, families, alumni, and the Ballard community 
• Commit to a fair, thoughtful, and accountable path forward centered on student wellbeing and community trust

A coach who has positively impacted so many student-athletes deserves more than a quiet exit.

BHS Football Community 

Parents, students, alumni, and community supporters have come together with one unified message: Coach Prince matters. His presence matters. His impact matters. And his return matters.

Reinstating Coach Prince would restore stability to the program, strengthen team culture, and ensure that the positive influence he has had on so many student-athletes continues. It would send a clear message that Ballard High School values the kind of coaching that develops not just athletes, but exceptional human beings.

We respectfully urge Ballard High School and Seattle Public Schools leadership to listen to the voices of this community, provide more transparency, and bring Coach Prince back to the Ballard High School football program.

Please sign this petition and stand with the players, families, and community members who believe in the leadership, mentorship, and lasting impact Coach Prince brings to Ballard football. Together, we can stand up for the kind of coach every student-athlete deserves.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a petition not a fundraiser. Any money you donate goes only to change.org for promoting the petition on the change.org site.