Westering Era Coaches
Philosophy
A 45 year family affair of coaching! Following in the footsteps of a legend is difficult, especially if that legend is your father.
For the 2004-2017 head football coach at Pacific Lutheran University, Scott Westering, this is especially true. He walks in the path left by his father, Frosty Westering, who revolutionized the PLU football program during his 31 year career in Tacoma.
Before arriving at PLU, Frosty Westering was the head coach at Parsons College (1962–1963) and Albert Lea (1966–1971).
The PLU football program is different than most football programs around the country in that it focuses on shaping players into courageous men who always give it their best shot. The PLU football coaching staff is not as concerned about what players do on the field. After all, it’s about enjoying the trip and making lasting memories.
In contrast, most coaching staffs at major Division I football programs instill a sense of fear and intimidation in order to force players to excel on the field. That method can only work to a certain point and then players will quit out of frustration.
At PLU, Frosty, Scott, and Staff did the exact opposite.
“Dad [Frosty] never went down that road of intimidation and really made the decision that he is going to motivate through treating young men with love,” Scott Westering said.
“It’s about getting guys to not be afraid to fail and getting guys to feel good about themselves in a positive culture and environment. If you do that, then you get guys to overachieve.
Scott says, “You get average kids playing good, good kids playing great, and great kids playing great all the time.”
Players certainly overachieved during Frosty’s time at PLU. Before Frosty retired in 2003, he won four national championships and competed in eight. Scott served as the offensive coordinator under Frosty in 1999 when PLU won the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl game against heavily-favored Rowan University of New Jersey, 42-13.
Their unique 1999 national championship run involved traveling nearly 16,000 miles to play five games on the road. The 1999 PLU football team was under-sized and didn’t have any superstars, but they played to their full potential and surprised the entire nation.
Before Frosty passed away in April 2013, he had influenced many people nationwide. Peoples’ hearts had been touched and would never be the same. Frosty had a lasting impact on nearly everyone he met. From https://frostywestering.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/enjoying-the-trip/
It is important to note the many EMAL Football assistants including Joe Broeker, Duane Oyler, Larry Green, Ken Flajole, Dave Anderson, Greg Rohr, Reid Katsung, Mark Clinton, Del Lofton, Scott Kessler, Dave Templin, Trevor Roberts, and many others. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to EMALs.
