Port Angeles High School announced this week that Darrell Duckett will take the helm of its football program, succeeding Dustin Clark, who guided the team to the state playoffs in 2023 after five seasons as head coach.
A Familiar Face Returns
Duckett, a 2019 graduate of the school and former Roughrider standout, played four years as a starting right guard at Central Washington University, earning all‑conference honors and graduating with a B.S. in exercise science.
His academic path also includes an associate’s degree in kinesiology from Fresno City College, a combination that reflects both his athletic and scholarly interests.
After completing his playing career, Duckett moved into coaching, first as an intern on the offensive line at Central Washington and later as a strength and conditioning intern, gaining hands‑on experience that he refined while volunteering as a coach for the Roughriders in the fall of 2025.
Building a Year‑Round Culture
Athletic Director Jarom Packer expressed confidence that Duckett’s structured, year‑round development plan will ready student‑athletes not only for competition but also for success in the classroom and community.
Duckett’s vision emphasizes discipline, accountability and a team‑first mentality, aiming to produce players who excel on the field, in the classroom and beyond.
The hiring marks a full‑circle moment for a program that has seen its share of transitions, and many hope the new coach’s deep roots will translate into sustained on‑field improvement.