High school football: P.G. hires coach Les Hamilton

PLEASANT GROVE — Pleasant Grove High School has announced that Les Hamilton has accepted its head coaching vacancy.

The unexpected move came one season after Hamilton became Hunter's head coach.

"Before I accepted the Hunter job, I told them that I planned on being there at least three years. I kind of had an out clause — there were three schools that if they opened up, I'd be very interested in interviewing for those," said Hamilton. "I had no idea any of those three would open up and Pleasant Grove just happened to be one of them.

"My wife's family is from Utah County, so there were a lot of things going to interview for this job. To be honest with you, I really had no idea that I would get the job. I knew there was a really good list of applicants. I'm very grateful and fortunate to have gotten the job."

The information regarding the hiring came to fruition late Tuesday night and confirmed Wednesday afternoon. However, Hamilton requested the news not be announced until Thursday because he hadn't had the opportunity to talk to his Hunter players and wished to tell them personally about his decision.

"I'd like to thank the Deseret News and their regard for this story for allowing me to have an opportunity to share this with my team before the media," said Hamilton.

Leaving Hunter after such a short time frame wasn't an easy decision for Hamilton.

"I love Hunter High school. I feel like they've got great kids there, a great community," he said. "They've been very supportive … they're fantastic. I have absolutely no complaints whatsoever with Hunter High school.

"I know it's a hard situation. These guys (Hunter) have lost two coaches in a year and I know it's disheartening for them. It's hard for everybody but this is the right move for my family and me at this time and I'm excited to be able to go to Pleasant Grove."

This is the fourth program in the past nine years Hamilton has been at the helm with stints at Grantsville, Alta and Hunter. He has a 77-37 record.

Hamilton established himself as one of the state's premier coaches during his tenor at Alta. In six years with the Hawks, the 39-year old coach from Petaluma, Calif., garnished a 60-19 record with back-to-back state championships in 2007 and 2008. Alta also made appearances in the state semifinals five straight years with at least a share of the region championship from 2005-09.