New head coach takes over for Dan Bourdon
The Analy High School Athletic Department is hiring James Foster, last season’s junior varsity coach, as its new head football coach, taking the reigns from Dan Bourdon.
Foster, a 2006 Analy graduate and current social studies and leadership teacher at the school, has been in the Tigers’ coaching fraternity since 2010, serving as a JV positions coach, offensive coordinator and as the head JV coach last season.
“I’m definitely very honored to be the head football coach at Analy,” Foster said. “My family has a long history at Analy and I’m excited for the opportunity to lead the program.”
To say that Fosters’ family roots run deep in Sebastopol would be an understatement, a legacy that has spanned three generations.
James’ grandfather Walt Foster (class of 1931) is a legendary former Analy player, teacher and coach who was an inaugural member of the Tigers’ Hall of Fame class of 2014. In addition, Foster’s father Gary (class of ’61), as well as numerous aunts and uncles have also come through the Analy system.
The new Tigers coach takes over a program that ascended to an elite level under Bourdon, having gone undefeated in league play in each of the past five seasons since the Sonoma County League realignment in 2011. The Tigers have reached the North Coast Section Division 3 semifinals five straight years, including one trip to the NCS title game.
“I learned a lot under coach Bourdon, both as a player and coach and I’d like to continue the success we’ve had,” Foster noted. “I’m someone who gets along well with players and likes to prepare for games.”
Bourdon, a 1999 Analy graduate and later a physical education teacher at the Sebastopol high school, resigned earlier this year citing family considerations.
Although the new coach has yet to assemble a coaching staff, Foster is hopeful that he can retain many of the coaches that have helped the program reach lofty heights.
“I’ll try to retain as much of the staff as possible,” he said, before adding, “I’ll be interviewing a lot of guys this week.”
Although Foster has been a regular at off-season workouts this winter, he plans to formally meet with players this week.
