Following a football season in which the Sealth Seahawks finished with an overall record of: 1-8-0 and a league record of: 1-5-0 things did not look good for the football program at the school. Winning still matters at every level even if in high school it shares importance with academics and participation. But for Athletic Director Sam Reed, it became apparent that a change was necessary. He chose to let the coach Asosa Sailai go.
Reed sent this message to the Sealth community to announce the change.

Dear Chief Sealth International staff, students, families and community at large,

This letter is to inform you that I have made the decision to end the tenure of Asosa Sailiai as head football coach at Chief Sealth International High School.

Coach Sailiai has been a pleasure to work with over the past five years, and he has accomplished much in repairing and building our football program. Under his tenure I was always confident that he and his staff were doing things the right way, teaching our young men to be strong citizens first, responsible student-athletes second and finally hard working and dedicated football players. Since 2007, Sailiai and his team have helped more than triple participation numbers, eliminate significant academic achievement issues within the program and build a junior varsity team that had been absent for some time. For all of those reasons and more, Sailiai is leaving a much stronger program than the one he inherited.

I will be looking for many of those same characteristics in the next Seahawk football coach. With nearly fifty returning players, new uniforms, and a top-notch weight room and athletic facilities – I have high expectations for the football program moving forward. It is my responsibility as Athletic Director to do all I can to help our student-athletes succeed. Despite all of Coach Sailiai’s noted successes, it is my hope that a new coaching staff can come in and take that next step toward competitive success. That task will not be easy, as developing a competitive football program – and doing it the right way – is a difficult proposition in urban public high schools.

On behalf of myself, the entire Chief Sealth International staff and all of the players that graduated under his watch, I want to extend final thanks for all that Asosa Sailiai and his staff has done for Chief Sealth football.

Sincerely,

Sam Reed
Chief Sealth International High School
Athletic Director/Activity Coordinator