COACHING

After serving as the assistant coach for Central Kitsap High School for the last three years , Mark Nowak is in his second  year as the head coach at Bainbridge High School - leading the Spartans to Olympic League and 2A District 3 Championships and 4th Place at State. While at Central Kitsap, he led a JV team to a record of 36-3-3 and assisted Patrick Leonard's Varsity team to 3 state tournament berths and one district title. 

Mark moved to Washington in May of 2021 after serving as the Graduate Assistant coach at Fort Hays State University Women's Soccer (Kansas) and obtaining a MS degree in Health and Human Performance.

Since his 4 years in Washington, Mark has coached youth soccer at Bainbridge Island FC and Kitsap Alliance. Last year Mark coached the Girls u17, Boys u19 and Boys u15 at Bainbridge Island FC finishing top of the table with each team in the 1st division of their league. He led successful trips to the Presidents Cup State Championship each year in charge and in 2023-2024 his team became champions, securing a trip to regionals for the first time in Bainbridge Island FC history.

Mark has served as the men's assistant coach at nationally ranked Peninsula college under Jake Hughes, ranking as high as #4 in the country in his time there. He contributed to a recruiting class that were NWAC Champions in 2023. He was also on the coaching staff of Port Orchard FC's inaugural historic season, going undefeated and winning the CPL 2 championship to secure promotion after the club's first season. Mark is currently coaching for Washington Youth Soccer in the Elite Player Development(EPD) program as the head coach of the 2013 boy's team. 

Mark grew up in Newburgh, New York goalkeeping for Marlboro Central High School with Jimmy Ventriglia and club for Aidan Topley. His first two seasons of his collegiate career were at New England College under Dave Decew before transferring and playing at SUNY New Paltz.

He holds a United States Soccer Federation "B" License(2024), United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma(2023) and is currently pursuing a Scottish UEFA "C" License.

Porter Herbig is a coach in the Bainbridge High School soccer program. He played his high school soccer at Central Kitsap High School, where he was a three-year varsity starter and served as team captain for two seasons. During his club career, Porter played for Kitsap Alliance for over five years before finishing his final club season with Bainbridge Island FC under coach Mark Nowak.

Porter recently completed his collegiate playing career at Tacoma Community College, where he was a two-year member of the men’s soccer program and served as captain during his second season. As a leader on the team, he helped guide Tacoma CC to its first Final Four appearance in over four years.

Porter brings his playing experience, leadership background, and passion for the game into his coaching, focusing on player development, work ethic, and creating a positive team environment.