When most people think about sports, the highlights are what come to mind first — the big games, last-second shots and championship runs. But behind every headline, there is a deep foundation built long before the buzzer-beater.
Few people stop and look beyond the big achievements to think about the work that happens behind the scenes. When taking a closer look, the components behind success almost always trace back to the coaches leading the charge, yet they are frequently overlooked.
When watching a game, the talented players and exciting highlights grab people’s attention. Most people see a team full of talented athletes without thinking twice about how or why that talent shines. This is especially true at the high school level, where the coach’s role extends beyond play. They define the culture, build a strong team foundation and set the tone for both athletic and personal growth—yet they rarely get their moment in the spotlight.
Looking deeper into each coach’s journey and their unique approach to leading reveals just how much their background shapes the way they coach. Their stories show how coaching isn’t just a job, but a passion developed over the years.
Paly’s current cross-country coach, Michael Davidson, didn’t fall into his role by accident. His path was defined by a single mindset: improvement, one day at a time. He started coaching at Paly in 2016, believing that his mindset could get athletes to understand that they have more potential than they think.
“It’s about challenging ourselves, right?” Davidson said. “It’s about asking yourself, am I going to be better today than I was yesterday?”
Davidson’s upbringing has shaped how he coaches and how he offers insight to help his athletes succeed in life. Davidson started competing on his own when he was 8 years old and claims that his first-hand experience influences how he coaches. His goal isn’t just to help athletes become faster; it’s about improving both their physical and mental skills so they can push themselves to become better athletes and people.
The results speak for themselves. Recently graduated senior Tristan Kippes placed in the top 10 for five cross-country races under the coaching of Davidson.
“It was a different feeling than the other races, but luckily, I still had the unwavering support of my coaches,” Kippes said.
This kind of support from coaches is what pushed Kippes and many others to achieve what they may have thought was not possible. They were able to reach their full potential and carry it over to things outside of the sports world. Coach Davidson often reminds his athletes that no matter their age, the sky’s the limit if 100% effort is given. He “knows what it takes” for students to reach peak ability and believes there are no restrictions to what his runners can achieve if they commit to the grind.
For some Paly coaches, their path began right here on campus. Brandon Byer attended Paly between 2009 and 2013, resultantly knowing the school first-hand. After graduating from University of Missouri, Byer initially returned to become the head coach of the boys freshman basketball team and is now the head coach of the boys junior varsity team.
Byer’s love for coaching began in his childhood. Growing up, his dad coached him in both his Palo Alto Little League and National Junior Basketball teams, allowing him to experience the impact that coaching can have on young players.
“While I did not realize at the time that I wanted to coach, when I got to college, I was able to see the impact that coaching could have on young people by being coached myself,” Byer said.
The turning point came in 2015, when he became a student manager for the University of Missouri’s men’s basketball team.
“Getting a behind-the-scenes view of how a Division I program operated, working under two different head coaches, enabled me to adopt ideas, concepts and ideologies for running a program that I’ve directly applied here at Paly,” Byer said.
For him, coaching is about more than just wins and losses, but about developing the chemistry and trust between players and coaches.
“What I value most about coaching a team is trust,” Byer said. “When a coach is able to trust their players and know what they’re getting from them on a daily basis, whether at practice or games, coaching becomes that much easier. Trust takes time to cultivate. Hence, patience is also critical too.”
He also emphasizes the importance of building relationships within athletics above all.
“Our student-athletes know that it’s greater than basketball with me,” Byer said. “Relationship building is one of the core philosophical tenets that drives who I am. Players know that while I will demand an incredible amount, I do so because each athlete’s role is valuable, meaningful and impactful.”
It’s that balance, demanding excellence but valuing relationships, that makes him come back to Paly each year. The school’s athletic culture that he has been a part of for so long keeps him motivated and always wanting more.
“What makes me want to come back and coach at Paly year after year is the athletic prowess this school has maintained over decades and a culture of winning,” Byer said. “For me, I really want to ensure that our student-athletes both develop their skills while also win and experiencing success.”
Paly PE Teacher and JV football coach Jason Fung has his own unique journey shaped by his upbringing, mentors and learned philosophy on athletics. After coaching track and football for roughly 20 years at Paly, Fung has crafted a superb coaching style deeply rooted in his childhood teachings and values.
“It started from expectations from my own parents, following the rules with consequences,” Fung said. “How I coach is there’s expectations and when you miss expectations there’s consequences.”
Fung’s ability to hold his student-athletes accountable to a certain standard has made him one of the most well-respected coaches to come through Paly sports. Amidst his style of coaching, Fung continues to dedicate himself to coaching to see the success that the kids produce.
“You get the gratification from the kids being successful on the field and from the kids doing well in the classroom. It’s that whole piece of watching these kids grow in what they do that’s the reward,” Fung said.
Many underestimate the road to becoming a high school coach. To some, it may look simple. Show up at practice, call some plays and support from the sidelines. But the reality of coaching is far from that. The journey to coaching at Paly is full of personal stories, setbacks and lessons that evolve into the lessons these coaches use to help their athletes.
When you zoom out, the story of Paly athletics isn’t just about its athletes. It’s also about those on the sidelines who have dedicated their lives to shaping the next generation. Coaches like Davidson and Fung push athletes to be their best and find their limits. Coaches like Byer instill trust and relationships that last beyond high school. Each brings something unique to the teams they lead and their work should not go unnoticed.
What makes Paly athletics special isn’t just the trophies or the history of winning, it’s the coaches who carry that tradition forward. They’re the ones who believe in their players even when the scoreboard doesn’t. They’re the ones who demand the best, not because they care about glory, but because they care about the growth of their athletes. The next time you’re at a game, take a second to think about the people watching from the sidelines and guiding the team behind the scenes, because without them Paly sports wouldn’t be anywhere near what it is today.
