Coaching Staff

Michael Kelly

Head Coach

This season marks Coach Michael Kelly’s 29th year as a head basketball coach and his fourth leading the Woodinville Falcons. Coach Kelly is proud to be part of the Falcon Family—not only as the basketball coach, but also as the school’s Activities Director and a parent of a current Falcon and 2025 graduate. His oldest son, Declan, assists with the 7^th grade Falcon select feeder team and his daughter Bevin might be applying for a teaching position in the Northshore School District for the next school year.

“Megan (spouse) and I feel so fortunate to be part of the Woodinville community,” Coach Kelly shares. “The parents, staff, and administration have been incredibly welcoming and genuine in their care for our students. There’s a shared commitment here to helping kids grow beyond the classroom—and we love that everyone has fun doing it.”

For Coach Kelly, basketball has always been about more than the scoreboard. It’s about developing young men of character, teaching teamwork, resilience, and leadership—lessons that last long after the final buzzer. The thrill of high-level competition is also fun!

Having coached his entire career in the greater Seattle area, Coach Kelly is grateful for the lasting relationships he’s built with players, families, and the wider basketball community. From the sidelines, he’s had a front-row seat to countless inspiring moments—and considers it a true blessing to watch so many athletes grow through the game.

As the Falcons take the court this season, Coach Kelly and his staff remain dedicated to building a program rooted in their core principles of Playing Hard, Demanding Excellence, and No Excuses—while continuing to strengthen the spirit and pride that make Woodinville such a special place.

Bob Nicol

Assistant Coach

Bob grew up on Orcas Island and played college basketball at WWU. The Vikings finished fifth in the NAIA National Championship in his Junior year. During his Senior year, he broke the school record for assists in a season and was voted to the All-League Team.

After college, Coach Nicol played AAU basketball, winning the National Championship and the William Jones Cup in Taiwan. He spent three years in Australia, coaching and playing in Brisbane and Mackay. He ran clinics for Australia’s Junior Program and coached the Queensland Under-16 State Team to 2nd place in the Australian Championship.

Coach Nicol has spent the last 20 years coaching youth basketball - the Select program and at WHS. Bob and his wife, Janine, have three boys, Tyler, Cory, and Tanner who have all played Select Basketball and at WHS. In his spare time, you’ll find Bob playing golf and tennis.

NIKOLA TRIFUNOVIC

Assistant Coach

Nikola grew up in Woodinville and in many gyms around the Greater Seattle Area. In high school he was a four-year varsity player at Seattle Preparatory School for current WHS head coach Michael Kelly. Following high school, he was an all-conference player at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. Trifunovic was one of the top scorers in the Northwest Conference where he earned first-team all-league honors and was named to the 2022 all-region team. He currently is a full-time employee at WHS in the English Language Development program.

Nikola deeply loves the game of basketball and all of its details, yet his passion for it lies in the people and lessons learned. He wants players at WHS to see the sport as a means to better themselves as young men. He feels very grateful to all of his past coaches and sees it as a responsibility to pass on the wealth of knowledge that they have given him.

Cory Smith

JV Team Head Coach

Cory grew up in the Northshore community and graduated from Inglemoor High School in 1994, lettering & earning All KingCo Honors in Football, Basketball, & Baseball. After high school, he played shortstop for Edmonds Community College and received All NWAAC honors and a full scholarship to Oklahoma State University, where he played in the 1996 College World Series. Coach Smith transferred to New Mexico State University where he led the Aggies in several offensive categories during his junior & senior seasons and was selected to the All Big West Conference team as a utility player and centerfielder respectively. Recently, Coach Smith was the head baseball coach at Sammamish High School where he helped the Totems to a State Playoff appearance in 2015. He was also the head coach at Mercer Island High School from 2009-2012 where he led the Islanders to a KingCo 3A championship and the first State Playoff win in over 10 years. Cory was also voted KingCo 3A Coach of the Year in 2010. Coach Smith has been a part of the Woodinville community for many years now, coaching Football since 2002 & Basketball since 2014. He is currently teaching Health & P.E. at Timbercrest Middle School. Coach Smith has also worked with Woodinville baseball team since 2016 & has coached the JV basketball team at WHS for a total of 11 years. Cory has been married to his lovely wife Elizabeth for 11 years, traveling when they can, & living the dream!

JAKE PHIPPS

Freshman Team Head Coach

Jake grew up in Eastern Washington, where he developed a lifelong passion for sports, playing both basketball and baseball at Freeman high school. He continued his athletic career at Saint Martin’s University, playing collegiate baseball.

After college, Jake began his coaching journey in Eastern Washington coaching AAU basketball, helping young athletes grow their skills and love for the game. For the past two years, he has been a part of the Woodinville Feeder Program. Off the court, Jake works as an architectural sales representative and enjoys golfing and traveling with his wife, Aimee.