GIG HARBOR, Wash. — It may have looked and sounded more like a husky tailgating party, but that's because opening night of the Gig Harbor Film Festival celebrated a University of Washington legend with the world premiere of "The Dawgfather: The Legacy of Don James."
In 18 seasons James led the Huskies to 153 wins, four Rose Bowl victories and a national championship.
Director Kent Loomer spent 6 and a half years working on the documentary.
"When you talk to any former Don James player and you bring up Coach James, their complete attitude changes. They stand straighter, stand prouder, Loomer said. "That man made a real impact. His imprint is everywhere."
In an era dominated by domineering coaches like Alabama's Bear Bryant and Ohio State's Woody Hayes, Don James revolutionized the role. He played CEO, overseeing what he called "The System" from his coaching tower.
"He was a guy who stood on that tower, 15-20 feet over the field every day and he allowed the coaches to create relationships with his players and he coached the coaches," said Warren Moon. "So, if things didn't go right at practice, he didn't get on us. He got on his coaches."
His teams had star players, but the system kept egos in check.
"He really instilled in us the team aspect of the game and not the individual so we were looking at how we performed for our guy, our teammate next to us," Aaron Williams said.
Anthony Allen says Coach James was always honest and approachable — up to a point.
"I know one time I went into his office to complain about a couple things," Allen said. "I went in there at 5'11 and when I walked out, I was about 5' 3."
As late as the mid '70s, a Black quarterback was a rare sight. Though he was setting records, Warren Moon got passed over until Don James recruited him.
"He believed in me and a lot of people, when I was coming out of high school and junior college, didn't think I could play quarterback," Moon said. "For some reason he thought I could, and he gave me an opportunity to play big-time college football on the West Coast, where my family could still see me play."
The Legacy of Don James goes beyond the winning record, it continues to this day with the coached and players making a difference on and off the field.
"The biggest message of our film is that one person can make a difference. Being selfless in this world is not a bad thing. Putting others before self in a world that's very selfish right now is a message I think we could all really use," Loomer said.
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