By Andrew Aragon, Deseret News
Published: Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 4:47 p.m. MDT
SANDY — Since he took over Alta High's football program, coach Les Hamilton has taken the Hawks to new heights.
Hamilton guided Alta to two state titles in six years after it hadn't won a championship since 1988. He made the Hawks one of the state's elite programs, and helped build the annual Alta-Bingham contest into the top rivalry in Utah high school football.
Hamilton, however, is stepping down as Alta's coach and will move his young family to Chile to help run a seafood exporting business. Hamilton, who served a Mormon church mission in Chile, turned his resignation in on Thursday and informed his players of his decision at film study on Saturday morning. He will coach the Hawks through the end of the playoffs.
"I've been at Alta for six years, we've done some great things and I've been a part of some great young men's lives," Hamilton said. "But it's time for me and my family to move on. It's a great opportunity for my family. Change isn't always a bad thing. The timing is good, and I can walk away from Alta knowing I did everything I could to impact the young men in the program."
Hamilton certainly impacted Alta's results on the field. He had a 60-18 record with the Hawks, and a 74-29 overall mark as a head coach. In Hamilton's five previous seasons at Alta, his teams won at least a share of a region championship. In addition to winning two state titles, the Hawks played in two other championship games and lost in a semifinal contest.
"I don't have any regrets," Hamilton said. "I've been able to be a part of a wonderful community, a great school, and a great administration."
Bob Stephens, Alta's offensive line coach, will be the Hawks' interim coach after the season until the school names a successor.
Hawks defensive back Austin Lee, a junior who will be one of their top returning players next season, said the team was shocked and saddened to hear of Hamilton's departure.
"It's hard to see him leave," Lee said. "He's a great coach."
This season has been a disappointment for Hamilton and the Hawks. Alta lost its first four games and finished the regular season with a 4-6 overall record. It will host Northridge in a first-round playoff game on Friday.
"We're 4-6 and we're sick of losing," Lee said. "(Hamilton) said he's going to do everything he can to help the seniors and the rest of us are going to do the same. We're all going to step up now."
Another of Hamilton's contributions to Utah high school football is the elevation of the Alta-Bingham rivalry. As both programs have emerged, it's been the premier annual matchup in the state. In addition to highly anticipated and well-attended regular-season matchups, the Hawks and Miners have played in the playoffs the past four years with three of the matchups coming in state championship games.
"I hate to see him go," said Bingham coach Dave Peck. "I think the Bingham-Alta games have raised the awareness of not only both programs, but also high school football in the state of Utah. It's been a great rivalry. I wish him the best in whatever he does."
Hamilton doesn't rule out a return to the sidelines at some point. He's been involved in high school football in some capacity every year since 1986, other than when he served his mission. He started his career as an assistant at Logan and got his first head coaching job at Grantsville High.
"It's deep inside you," Hamilton said of coaching high school football. "I know it'll be different being away from the game. It's a big part of who I am — I'm a high school football coach. It's just an opportunity I can't pass up. (Coaching) has been real positive, and it's been a great run."
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700075850/High-school-football-Alta-coach-resigns.html
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