Bates steps aside at Snake River

Michael Bates, the only head coach Snake River football has known since its rebirth in 2009, is stepping down as the program’s leader.

Bates went 58-18 in his eight years as the Rattlers’ head coach. He led the team to back-to-back state titles and undefeated seasons in 2010 and 2011. In his eight years, his teams finished with a losing record only once — in 2009, his first year. At one point, his teams won 22 consecutive games.

Snake River also advanced to the title game in 2012. The Rattlers have made the playoffs in each of their eight seasons under Bates.

Bates, who also teaches history at Snake River, said he wants to continue coaching: “I would like to be as productive at another school if given the chance,” he said via email to wyoming-football.com this week.

He said his wife is finishing her degree in nursing this year while he is wrapping up his master’s degree.

“We want to move to a location where we can both utilize our skills,” he wrote.

Bates is the first coach in the state to step down this offseason.

–patrick