You could say teaching is in the genes for former Clarkston and Ferris State University quarterback Ryan Kaul.
His family also shares coaching lineage as well. Brother Gary, now assistant principal at CHS, is a former basketball and golf coach. Their father also taught and coached hoops. Kaul, 2001 Clarkston graduate, is only two classes shy of taking up the profession himself.
Ryan, 24, is hoping to get into the family’s coaching business too. In his remaining time at FSU, Kaul will serve as a student assistant coach for Jeff Pierce’s program, working with quarterbacks, wide receivers, and special teams in the fall.
‘I grew up in a family who coached me in high school and (I’ve) always known I wanted to follow what they taught me,? Kaul said.
This summer, his sixth consecutive, Kaul coached at the Clarkston Wolves Football Camp.
‘I love working with the kids and I love football. I knew I always wanted to be around it,? he said.
Hearing of Kaul’s decision to step to the sidelines didn’t surprise his former coach, Clarkston’s Kurt Richardson.
‘I just expected it from him because it’s in his blood,? Richardson said. ‘He relates really well with the kids and he has a great understanding of what’s being taught.?
Both Kaul and Richardson said Kaul returning to Clarkston as a teacher/coach would be an ideal situation.
‘I’ve grown up in Clarkston my whole life playing football and basketball and my brother and father taught there and got to give back to the community, coaching and teaching kids. I can show (kids) the way,? Kaul said.
Kaul was the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs for the past three seasons, 2004-06, during a career in which he overcame a serious knee injury. After getting red-shirted his freshman season, Kaul was only able to watch the games again in fall 2002 when he tore the ACL in his right knee during practice.
‘It was really tough to sit out two full years. Encouragement from coach (Pierce) and my family got me back into it,? Kaul said.
‘That made me realize I have to work hard at the things I want to do, and if I do, I can get to the position I want to be in.?
Two games into the 2004 season, Kaul took over the starting job and never let go. In 2005 and ?06, Kaul was All-GLIAC (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) honorable mention and the team’s offensive player of the year in ?05 and offensive MVP in ?06. He went out with a strong season in 2006, finishing with 13 touchdown passes and throwing for almost 1,500 yards.
‘He’s a great competitor and a great student of the game. He’s had an excellent career as a quarterback,? Pierce said.
‘His knowledge of the passing game and reads are something he can help our young quarterbacks develop.?
Those passing skills and competitiveness are what led Pierce to recruit Kaul.
Richardson remembers Kaul’s field vision as one of his biggest assets, but his athleticism shined through with the Wolves as well.
‘Everyone remembers him as a quarterback, but he played defensive back in situations and he came up big for us. And he was the punter. He was an outstanding all-around athlete,? Richardson said.
Kaul led the most winning group in Clarkston history during high school, which went 41-3. Their run included back-to-back trips to the state semifinals in Kaul’s junior and senior years.
‘Ryan was one of those kids that made people around him better,? Richardson said.
‘His stats are probably No. 1 or 2 in the history of Clarkston.?
From the Clarkston Chiefs to the Wolves and then the Bulldogs, all the knowledge Kaul has from playing, the dozens of coaches he’s learned from, and the Kaul family pedigree, give him a great shot at being on the sidelines for good, maybe even in Clarkston.