Reader comments
A high school football coach: big rewards for little pay

I respect the reasons that these men coach and appreciate the positive influence they have on our kids. Obviously they love what they do and that's wonderful. But there is no way I would coach after watching what the coaches in our community have had to go through. The microscope they are under is brutal.

If you were to ask an English teacher to give her lecture every Friday night in front of all the parents, reporters and cameras, then to be critiqued on it, then to have it written about in the paper the next day, most of them would quit! Most people cannot take the scrutiny week after week.

My hats off to these guys and I hope they forgive us parents and the media who make their lives so hard sometimes. There is no way I'd have their job!

Some coaches never get that state title, and mostly have a losing record year after year. That is when is really becomes hard to be a coach, you really have to love it. I thank those coaches who are always getting ripped by parents and players, who may not have the student body to put a great football team together, but still make it a good experience for those boys. Thank You!

i coached for 14 years. head coach for 7 years, people just don't get the time and effort theses guys put into a season.you really have to have thick skin. I don't coach anymore,it really gets to me when people put down the coaches and think they can do a better job, they are out there trying to help your son get better. I ask them why don't you go coach then. they say i would love to but don't have the time and can't afford to.i really miss the kids and the coaches that you hang out with every day.I know one thing the best coaches out there aren't the ones that win year in and year out.Its the ones that get the most out of the talent they have a lot of coaches could win at the bingham, skyline, alta, cottenwoods ,and timpviews.

You say lots of people could win at Bingham, Skyline, Alta, etc. Well, coaching at those schools brings different kinds of problems. Like running into kids at the store that you cut but also know could start at other schools. Cutting kids and having them in your school classroom and they know they could be starters somewhere else. Like higher expectations. A good coaching friend of mine who won over 20 games in basketball last year and everyone was asking "what happened"? Too many good players creates problems that don't exsist at schools that don't have the depth.

We love you

Snow canyon has one of the best coaching staffs in the state, look at there 190 lb line against those big polys at east, they fought well until the third quarter, and really opened some holes for adam timo to run, great job by the coaching staff. and i really was impressed with coach secrists playcalling. and there defense was great. until the 4th quarter. they just couldnt pull it out. its allright, good job coaches who dedicate there time at sc, we appreciate you, sincerly
Wally the Warrior

Schools like Alta, Skyline, Lone Peak definately bring other problems for coaches. Yes, there is more talent to choose from at these big 5A schools, but you also get the parents who expect a state championship every year. I know a coach who had a great winning percentage, won region championships 75% of the time he coached there, but never got a state championship. The parents ran him out.

The expectations are often unrealistic. These coaches aren't given enough money to take that kind of pressure and in the long run it's the kids who lose. Thanks all you coaches who put up with it.

Think the coaches have it rough.... Try being a coaches wife:)

Amy Donaldson hit the nail on the head when she said high school athletic coaches become iconic in their community.

I think high school athletic coaches are awesome. I wish we could pay them more. They mean a lot to me. I live in South Jordan, but I love all of the high school coaches. If you see them in a restaurant, try to pick up their tab anonymously ... see the manager and arrange to pay for their meal. They deserve it.

I lived as a boy of a coach...they are so dedicated sometimes they forget family...the presure to be successful was his own desire he didn't need parents or the community to drive him to success...when he passed away the church was over flowing with past friends athletes, students etc...I believe he gave back everything he had to those student athletes...today athletes call my mother to see how she is and pass by and say hello...no money in the world could pay for those memories...I thank all the coaches I had and hope that people realize they are teachers and professional teachers first and coaches second...best of luck to the coaches and you rich parents save your money and send your kids to college instead of pursing all the fame and heart ache for your kids...

Still bitter about that loss? I'm not a math guy, but I'm pretty sure your OL was bigger than 190 lbs average. I saw two guys on that line that had to be pushing 250. You also had that 6'7" 380 lbs reserve dude that came in as well. Our DL was 250, 290, and 250 respectively, but we blitzed a lot and brought a lot of pressure.

Hats off to all football coaches, parents have no idea what you put yourselves thru for their kids. The best parents are the ones you never hear from which is too bad. If you like what your coach is doing let them know. They need some accolades and deserve it - all of them!!! Page u r a stud and I agree with you. I've assisted for a long time and am out for this year. I went to Maui during 2-a-days and I don't miss it at all yet. I saw 3 great games last week it was a blast. By the way I'm tripling my football pay doing baseball clinics for 6 hours a week. If anyone is interested call or email.

We are not bitter and you shouldn't be on this blog talking the trash you talk. We are proud of our coaching staff at SC and that is what this is all about not whether we won or lost but how our kids played under a great coaching staff! Thanks Coaches everywhere for all you do!

Do you really agree with Page who said it is easier to coach at Alta, Cottonwood, Bingham, etc? I find that hard to believe.

All coaching is difficult. I agree that some of the best coaches don't win year in and year out. There are great coaches that get the most out of their talent without a big pool or transfers. Also these schools that have a lot of transfers to their program do not all recruit. It is easier to win at those schools mentioned but they have other problems to deal with.

I am a parent who had kids play high school sports in Utha (two done and one left). Most coaches are great. One problem I see is where the coaches kids play for them. I have seen many kids have coaches kids lay above them where it is not warranted (the kids getting the shaft have much more talent than the coaches boys). Maybe this is one reason the coaches "suffer" through the low pay. I had one high school coach who coached his boys tell me that his boys deserve to play ahead of the other kids because of the time he puts in and the low pay he receives. That is a shame for those kids who should be playing and are not because of this attitude. Let's change the rules so that coaches kids cannot play at the high school their Dad is coaching at.

I am sorry that you are in that type of situation but not everyone is. I am a parent of a sophomore at Bingham High and he plays baseball. One of our coaches son played for us last year and he got worse treatment than any other player. I have seen the Dad rip his son apart for a mistake where if another kid had made the same one, he would have taken him to the side and explained how to do it right. So in your case, you may be right but in our case, I am glad that our coaches son was here. He not only was one of our best players but he also treated the freshmen (my son) with class. My son looked up to him. Coaches should be able to coach their own as long as they are fair and honest in making decisions. By the way, the coaches son went on to play in college this year. Once again, sorry about your plight but I am not in that kind of situation.

We are very happy for billy hoopes here as he is the new head football coach. Now if stan young would just retire!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My High School coach was the best English teacher I ever have. Thank you coach.

We can all see from your comment how successful your English teacher was.