09/30/2026
Walk into Cliff Grout’s office at Cliff’s Quality Auto, and you’ll be surrounded by memorabilia – autographs, photographs, and memories from decades spent coaching Spokane Youth football. He’s coached league players for almost 50 years, and his wife, Kelly, knows he’s not finished yet.
“He loves the game,” Kelly said. “He loves helping kids. When he starts talking, he gets a grin on his face. It’s his happy place.”
This year, he coaches the eighth-grade Spokane Highlanders – part of Inland Northwest Football and Cheer. One year, he headed up two teams. Kelly can’t guess how many kids he’s inspired and coached over the decades. But she knows he brings a basic belief to every practice, game, and team.
“He wants to show kids that with hard work and someone coaching, they can do and achieve the things they want to,” Kelly said.
That principle has made all the difference. It’s why he rosters players with little experience, speed, or confidence, or pays league fees for players who aren’t even on his team. After all, it’s about the chance to be better.
“Some of his kids went on to college and sent him messages saying they were playing a certain game. We’ve gone to football games and Cliff’s pointed out the kids he’s coached,” Kelly explained. “You can sit there and look at him and see how much he loves football and being able to teach kids.”
For now, Cliff’s planning on coaching for at least another two years. After all, the passion has been in his blood since his high school days decades ago. But it is about more than the game. It’s about the moment when a player in need of support and direction finds his way. It’s that same kind of respect and commitment that led Kelly to marry him.
“I watched him work. I watched how he treated people. My mom told me once he wasn’t like anyone I would date,” Kelly remembered. “I told her Cliff would be the man I married because of that and the way he treated and respected me. I’m so proud of him.”
Forty years after they married, Kelly’s still watching her husband coach middle schoolers. They may have a winning season. Maybe not. But she knows they’ll learn lessons to carry far from the field.
Cliff's Quality Auto
3515 North Market Street
Spokane, WA,
(509) 482-0000