Bob Werner Tapped as Gig Harbor's New Athletic Director

The has named Bob Werner as 's new athletic director.

With a total of 18 applicants, he was selected out of seven finalists who were interviewed, PSD Academic Officer Dan Gregory said.

The interview team was made up of five people: District Athletic Director Dave Goodwin, GHHS Assistant Principal Michelle Bruski-Dumpert, GHHS Assistant Principal Brian Tovey, GHHS teacher, coach and Coaches Association President Kevin Eager and GHHS Athletic Boosters President Sean Scanlan. (Gregory said Tovey was absent on the day of the interviews and did not participate in that component of the selection process.)

“Werner’s vision and leadership that he was able to convey to the interview team, along with his passion for athletics, set him apart from the other candidates,” Gregory said. “His leadership skills, values, background and passion for athletics will undoubtedly be a great asset to the student athletes at Gig Harbor High School.”

He also acknowledged Werner’s extensive leadership and management skills.

Werner served as President and CEO of Frank Russell Securities from 2002 to 2007, according to Gregory. While there, he managed a staff of about 150 associates on a global basis.

Werner, who is also a Gig Harbor resident, has been an active member of the local youth athletic programs.

He has served as the defensive coordinator and special teams coach for the Tides' freshman football team for the past two years, according to the team website.

In addition, Gregory said he has coached local teams including football, basketball, baseball, softball and soccer.

Werner will replace Gig Harbor's former athletic director Dale Johnson, who announced his resignation on Jan. 10, 2012.

Gregory said the district plans to have Werner work with Johnson this spring to ease into the transition.

“The athletic director’s office tends to be a busy time during spring sports due to game cancellations and rescheduling of games because of weather-related issues,” Gregory said. “Athletic directors also required to work on district and state competitions that take place. It’s an active office in the springtime and that should provide an excellent opportunity for Mr. Werner to gain some experience in that area.”

The hiring comes just days after the Peninsula School District terminated Gig Harbor head football coach Darren McKay's contract.

Despite numerous testimonies from members of McKay’s coaching staff, players past and present and their parents at the , Superintendent Terry Bouck said the .

"Mr. McKay was offered a plan for improvement but has not shown sufficient progress on that plan. As a result, we felt that it was in the best interest of our community to move forward in a different direction," Bouck said.

He said the district plans to begin the search process for a replacement coach later this week. Werner is also expected to be involved in the hiring process of the new head football coach, Gregory said.

Werner will officially start at the end of the school year in June.