The Shrine Bowl named its coaching staffs this week, and it was interesting to see how the groups came together.
The North squad will have some solid representation from Campbell County, as Wright’s Larry Yeradi, the head coach, picked up Gillette’s Vic Wilkerson and one of his own assistants, Doug Schrader, to help round out his staff. Riverside’s Michael McGuire (who is making the trip to Casper an annual event), Jackson’s Bill Wiley (and outgoing coach who gets a well-deserved Shrine Bowl nod on his way out) and Kaycee’s Dustin Sipe help round out the North staff.
The South staff doesn’t have any weak links, either. Head coach Jay Rhoades of Douglas pieced together a solid staff, including his own assistant, Wes Gamble, who had a ton to do with the Bearcats’ success this fall. Rock Springs’ Tony Yerkovich, Kemmerer’s Shawn Rogers and Saratoga’s Heath Hayes — all coaches who have been involved in this sport in the state for many years and who all have the respect of their coaching colleagues — join veteran Guernsey-Sunrise coach Casey Moats, who made the staff after his first year as a head football coach but earned his stripes as a longtime assistant with the Vikings.
IMHO, there isn’t a single undeserving coach in the bunch. I’ve talked to most of these guys at least once — many several times — and every single one has my seal of approval, something that’s all but meaningless to everyone but me…. but it speaks well of the Shrine Bowl that they were able to land such quality coaches for the big game.
More on the Shrine Bowl here.
–patrick