Hall of Fame
Named to Western's All-Century football team (1900-99)
Honorable mention NAIA All-American (1970)
Twice Little All-Northwest
Three times District 1 and Evergreen Conference all-star
Set WWU records for pass interceptions in game (3), season (9) and career (26)
Taught and coached at Ferndale High School for 43 years
Washington State Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductee in 2002
Compiled 137-40 record in 17 seasons as head football coach at FHS
Served 17 years as Director of Athletics at FHS, instrumental in formation of multi-classification Northwest Conference
Viking defensive football standout Vic Randall passes at 76
Went on to amazing gridiron coaching career at Ferndale High
BELLINGHAM, Wash. --- Vic Randall, pound-for-pound one of the best defensive football players ever to compete at Western Washington University, died on May 10; at age 76 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Randall, who measured 5-foot-8-inches and weighed 165 pounds while at Western (then Western Washington State College), was a 1982 WWU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and named to Western's All-Century football team (1900-99).
During his collegiate football career as a safety from 1967 to 1970, he set school records for pass interceptions in a game (3), in a season (9) and in a career (26).
Randall earned National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-America honorable mention recognition in 1970, received Little All-Northwest honors in 1969 and 1970, and earned NAIA District 1 and Evergreen Conference all-star accolades three times each; from 1968 to 1970.
With Randall leading the defense, Western tied for the Evergreen Conference championship in 1969 and finished second in 1970.
Showing his ability and versatility immediately as a freshman, Randall earned honorable mention all-conference honors both ways, leading the Vikings in punt and kickoff returns and pass-receiving. He accomplished the same statistical feats as a sophomore.
In 1968, Randall returned an interception a school-record 88 yards for a touchdown against Eastern Washington State College. Nicknamed “Tweety Bird,” for his size, he intercepted four passes in 1967, five in 1968, eight in 1969 and nine in 1970 as the team captain. His career total for yards returned interceptions was 393.
A 1971 Western graduate with a degree in physical education, Randall coached and taught for 43 years at Ferndale (Wash.) High School, mentoring dozens of coaches and hundreds of student-athletes. As the head football coach for the Golden Eagles, he compiled a 137-40 record, an incredible 74.4 winning percentage, over two stints (17 years total, 1982-89 and 1994-2002). That included seven double-figure win seasons, earning him Washington State Coaches Association Hall of Fame honors in 2002.
“Vic was a good friend and mentor,” said Western co-Director of Athletics Jim Sterk, who was an assistant coach when Randall was the defensive coordinator at FHS. Sterk, also a WWU Hall of Famer, went on to spend over 25 years as an athletic director at the NCAA Division I level.
“Working with Vic made me realize that I was not cut out to be a head football coach. He was amazing.”
Randall also served as the FHS Director of Athletics for 17 years (1998 to 2015). During that time, he played an instrumental role in forming the multi-classification Northwest Conference.
“I had a front-row seat to Vic’s impact on kids and coaches throughout my coaching years, and more closely during my time as Ferndale's athletic director and in the years that followed, when we were AD colleagues,” said Hall of Fame athletics administrator and volleyball coach Terri McMahan. “We began as young coaches in the 70’s and spent the next several decades building our programs. We had many memorable coaching and life conversations during that time, and I have carried some valuable lessons forward as a result. I am grateful to have worked closely with a coach and athletic director as talented as Vic. I know I am not alone in my appreciation for the friendship and mentorship Vic provided throughout his remarkable career.”
What was the key to Randall’s coaching and administrative success?
Jamie Plenkovich, who had the unenviable task of replacing Randall as Ferndale’s head football coach, has an answer.
“He always cared so much about the kids. That’s why he did it for so long … You knew his heart was always in a good place when it came to dealing with kids and wanting what’s best for them. Every decision he made was in our kids’ best interests.”
Besides football, Randall coached golf and baseball at FHS.
While at FHS, Randall continued to demonstrate his athletic prowess by playing 18 years on the Parberry Steelers Slo-pitch softball team and six seasons with a Bellingham City League touch football team.
A Burlington-Edison High School graduate, Randall was a three-sport athlete for the Tigers. He was twice named an All-Northwest League pick in football, on both offense and defense. He was coached by the legendary Glenn Rickert, who retired as the state’s winningest football coach. Randall also earned league all-star honors in basketball and baseball.
Randall was born on Sept. 9, 1949, in Mount Vernon, Wash., one of three sons to Elwood and Pearl Randall. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Sunny.
Randall is survived by his loving family, wife Janine (Poole), children: Aimee & Matt Galley, Scott & Sharae Randall, Kyler and Natalie Randall, Orin Paul, Brittany & Mike Hawkins, grandchildren Baylor, Maya, Brayden, Bailee, Simone, Myles, Avery and Weston, brother Gary & Julie Randall, brother in law Gary & Nicky Poole and former wife Debby (Dahl) Randall and numerous nieces and nephews.
Randall’s dedication to the FHS community, its students, staff and families, were a point of great pride. He lived his life with unwavering determination, fairness, and a competitive edge that inspired those around him. His spirit was infectious and he was always ready for a challenge.
In his final years, Randall was extremely blessed to have Mary Wilson, Tanya and Gary Marks, Bob Anderson, Angie Quinn, Barry Tonkin, Curt Dehaan, Dean Russell, Old Friends Club, the Staff at North Bellingham Golf Course and many other family and friends, who provided unwavering support and companionship. Heartfelt gratitude is also extended to the compassionate staff at Hospice House. And special thanks to all who stood by Randall, making his final chapter filled with care and love.
Randall’s legacy is one of perseverance, integrity, and relentless spirit. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
A memorial service will be held on June 6 (2 p.m.) at the Ferndale High School Football Field. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Randall’s life and enduring impact.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support Ferndale High School’s Activities and Athletics through the Ferndale Golden Eagle Booster Club. Please make payments to: FGEBC, P.O. Box 575, Ferndale, WA 98248 or through their website in Vic Randall’s honor.
