There will be four new varsity head coaches on the sidelines this season with each having deep ties to Whatcom County.
We want to welcome and get to know new head coaches Kayla Bernsen of Meridian, Drew McFall of Bellingham, Caden Mee of Squalicum, and Sean Miller of Blaine.
Here’s a look at each of our new coaches:
Kayla Bernsen, Meridian girls
Background: The 33-year-old Bernsen teaches English and Latinos in Action at Meridian High School. She grew up in Connell and followed in her father and mother’s footsteps, both of whom played college sports. After starring in three sports for Connell High, she transferred to Moses Lake her junior year and was all-league in basketball her final two seasons. She was a four-year standout at Western Washington University, earning GNAC defensive player of the year honors her senior season and finishing among the school’s all-time best in blocked shots and rebounds. She played professionally in Denmark and the Netherlands before returning to Whatcom County.
Coaching experience: Bernsen has coached all ages at different levels and settings, including middle school, AAU, private lessons, and camps here and in Europe. She also spent two seasons as a graduate assistant under legendary coach Carmen Dolfo at Western.
Quote: “I am so excited to step into this new role. I absolutely love these kids and this community. Being at a small school means I’ve had the opportunity to teach nearly every young woman in the program. They are tough, talented, and fantastic people. I’m looking forward to having fun, building leadership skills in our young women, and winning lots of games.”
Drew McFall, Bellingham girls
Background: The 25-year-old Bellingham native is a para educator at Bellingham High School and is finishing his teaching degree. He is a 2019 Bellingham High graduate, who earned varsity basketball, soccer, and cross-country letters. He went on to play two seasons of college basketball at Silver Lake College (Wisc.) and at Whatcom Community College before an ankle injury ended his playing career. He also had a stint as a sports writing intern at the Cascadia Daily News in Bellingham.
Coaching experience: Starting in 2022, McFall coached 10 consecutive sports seasons at Fairhaven Middle School, including boys and girls basketball, girls soccer, and volleyball.
Quote: “I am looking forward to helping the program find some stability in the coaching staff. I believe the team has loads of potential, and Whatcom County has great athletes that can be persuaded to play basketball. We won’t strive for perfection but instead to compete at a high level against the tough NWC. We will take it day by day, motivated by our three consistent pillars of deliberate action, accountability, and precision. Golfer Gary Player said, ‘The harder I work, the luckier I get,’ and the level of intensity and the work we put in will never vary.”
Caden Mee, Squalicum girls
Background: The 25-year-old Bellingham native is a special education teacher at Squalicum High School. The Bellingham High alum attended Western Washington University, earning a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and working with the WWU men’s basketball program as a student coach.
Coaching experience: Mee’s coaching career began at his alma mater, where he led the Bellingham boys C team for five years. He moved on to Squalicum as the junior varsity coach last season. In addition, he has experience at multiple levels from youth camps to helping with high school varsity teams, which has shaped his philosophy of coaching tough, smart, team-first basketball built on energy, defense, and selflessness.
Quote: “Basketball has always been a huge part of my life, but so has mentorship. Whether in the classroom or on the court, I’m passionate about helping young people grow into confident, capable individuals who work hard and care about one another. I’m most looking forward to creating a culture where players compete with passion, play for one another, and grow not just as athletes — but as people. I want our team identity to be rooted in toughness, togetherness, and joy for the game.”
Sean Miller, Blaine girls
Background: The 58-year-old resource officer at Blaine High School grew up in Southern California and Lincoln City, Ore. He was always interested in sports, competing in football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and soccer at three different high schools. He and his family moved to Blaine in 1998 and his five grown children are all Blaine High alumni.
Coaching experience: As a young man, he was stationed at Treasure Island Naval Station in 1986, when he was asked to coach a youth baseball team in San Francisco. And, as he says, “I was hooked.” He coached football and basketball in Oregon before settling in Whatcom County, where he has coached more than 70 seasons’ worth of Boys & Girls Club, middle school, high school, and travel teams in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball, and softball.
Quote: “I’m looking forward to working with this group of student-athletes. And our new assistant coach, Ashley Dickerson, will be a healthy impact on our squad. Our goal is to be committed to each other as well as to be gritty and classy. We’re going to get after it from start to finish. We will only let up when we hear a buzzer or whistle. I know it’s cliche but I have learned a lot more from the youth than I have ever taught. I’m very fortunate to be given this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to this new adventure.”
