Nine Utah high schools hire new head football coaches

By recent standards, it's been an unusually quiet offseason when it comes to high school football coaching changes.

In each of the past three seasons, more than 20 schools were led by new head coaches, but in the two months since the conclusion of the 2009 season only nine schools have had coaching vacancies.

Four of those schools, including the new Herriman High School, have already filled those positions whereas the other five are still accepting applications.

Several factors could lead to a handful more coaching changes, but it's extremely unlikely there will be a 20 percent turnover rate like in years past.

The schools with coaching vacancies are American Fork, Cottonwood, Park City, Gunnison and Monument Valley. Depending on whether those schools hire from within or go after an existing head coach at another school, a trickle-down effect could create a few more openings.

Another factor that could have principals scrambling is the 2010 legislative session. If drastic changes are made to the retirement and other benefits of state employees, it could impact the decision of several veteran coaches.

The eight head coaches with the most experience in the state are: Skyline's Roger Dupaix (34 total years), Bountiful's Larry Wall (26 years), Cedar's Todd Peacock (24 years), Emery's Jim Jones (23 years), Juan Diego's John Colosimo (23 years), North Summit's Jerre Holmes (22 years), Tooele's Ray Groth (22 years) and Dixie's Blaine Monkres (21 years).

That list of veteran coaches no longer includes Davis Knight, who resigned as American Fork's head coach after 28 seasons. He finished with a career record of 160-123-1.

"Davis Knight as a head football coach is irreplaceable," said American Fork principal Carolyn Merrill. "His excellence and commitment to our school and community are unmatched. He taught life lessons through the game of football. A man of integrity and honor, he mentored the benefits of hard work and responsible behavior in all aspects of life."

Merrill began interviewing coaching candidates last week and will continue to do so this week.

Another marquee 5A job that remains vacant is at Cottonwood High School. Former coach Cecil Thomas resigned after four years to become an assistant coach at Weber State. The deadline for interested applicants to apply at the Granite School District office or online is Friday.