Eagle High needed a new football coach. The perennial power found him already on staff
James Cluphf will become the next Eagle High football coach, the West Ada school board finalized Monday evening.
Cluphf, 37, served as the Mustangs’ offensive coordinator the past six years. The first-time head coach replaces John Hartz, who resigned in February after going 28-13 (.683) in four seasons.
“It’s a place I’ve always wanted to be,” Cluphf said. “It’s the first place that I looked at when I was getting into coaching. It’s a destination spot. The level of involvement from the community, the players and the staff here at the high school make it a really special place.”
The 2004 Borah High grad first came to Eagle as an assistant in 2011. He left in 2013 to follow Scott Criner to Rocky Mountain, helping the Grizzlies win the 2015 5A state championship before returning to Eagle as its offensive coordinator in 2017.
The Mustangs went 42-20 (.700) and have scored 30 or more points per game in four of their six seasons with Cluphf directing the offense. He’s also helped Eagle extend its run of 15 straight playoff appearances, the longest active streak in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference.
“We have a great roster coming back this year,” he said. “I see us as one of the top teams in the conference going into next year, and one of the top teams in the state. We’ve got a lot of core players coming back, and a couple additions that should help our program.”
The physical education teacher said he doesn’t plan to make wholesale changes with the Mustangs. He wants to continue the traditions set by former Eagle coach Paul Peterson, particularly in how he treats players.
“It all started in my eyes with coach Peterson and how kids were treated,” Cluphf said. “John Hartz was a kids-first coach. Scott Criner is a huge mentor of mine and is someone who’s into developing young men, and that’s something that I want to continue. That’s the coaching tree that I’m under.”
Cluphf continues an offseason full of turnover in the 5A and 4A Southern Idaho Conferences. Ten of the 20 schools in the combined league will have a new football coach this fall. Vallivue remains the last open position.
The West Ada school board also finalized a new athletic director for Eagle on Monday, hiring Vallivue Athletic Director Tony Brulotte for the position. He replaces Beth Holt, who is retiring.
This story was originally published April 11, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
