After returning to Oregon from South America, Birkey began his coaching career at Columbia High School and in 1985 began coaching at the collegiate level at Portland Community College while working in Sports Medicine.
After returning to Oregon from South America, Birkey became limited as a player due to an on-going knee problem and thus began his coaching career at Columbia High School. In 1985 he began coaching at the collegiate level at Portland Community College while working in Sports Medicine.