Eagle football coach steps down. Why he is leaving the Mustangs after four years
John Hartz resigned as the Eagle High football coach Monday, citing personal reasons.
Hartz led the Mustangs to a 28-13 overall record and a 19-5 record in conference or division games in four seasons. Eagle qualified for the 5A state playoffs every year under Hartz, making it to the quarterfinals three times and the semifinals once.
“Some of it’s tough for me to talk about,” Hartz said. “I talked to the guys about being a great person, above all else. There are some things I personally need to take care of on my end so I’m not being a hypocrite and doing things in my own life.”
Hartz, 52, took over the Mustangs four years ago after longtime coach Paul Peterson retired after 14 seasons. He first joined the Eagle coaching staff in 2011 and spent two seasons as its offensive coordinator.
He also previously served as Eagle’s athletic director.
“John has always been and will continue to be a kids’ coach,” Eagle Athletic Director Beth Holt said. “He works phenomenally with kids. He always has the kids’ best interest at heart first.
“It’s evident when you go talk to him on any day, or you sit there in his classroom and watch him teach. It doesn’t matter where he is, it’s always about the kids first. That’s something every parent and administrator values in a head coach.”
Hartz said the hardest part of stepping down was leaving the relationships he’s built with players. But he added the program remains in strong shape for whoever comes next.
Eagle has made the playoffs 15 years in a row, the longest active streak in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference.
“I told the guys that they are putting in the work,” Hartz said. “I think we’re going to have a great season next year. We’ll keep rolling. There’s a lot of quality kids that are going to get things done.”
Hartz’s resignation continues an offseason full of turnover in the Treasure Valley. Nine of the 20 football programs in the 5A and 4A Southern Idaho Conferences will have a new coach this fall.
Positions at Rocky Mountain, Eagle and Nampa remain open.
This story was originally published February 27, 2023 at 12:44 PM.
