Crosby named head coach at Lovell

Nicc Crosby, a Lovell native who has been an assistant coach at Star Valley for more than a decade, has been hired as Lovell’s new head coach.

Lovell AD Joe Koritnik confirmed the hire via email with wyoming-football.com on Friday.

The Star Valley football Facebook page posted a tribute to Crosby on Friday (screencap below).

Crosby has taught and coached at Star Valley for 13 years, with 11 years devoted to the high school football program and two to the middle school. With the Braves, Crosby coached the quarterbacks and later the defensive backs.

He was also an assistant coach for the South team for the 2018 Shrine Bowl.

Crosby said via email with wyoming-football.com on Saturday that he and his family faced a difficult decision to leave Star Valley.

“I really don’t have words to describe how much I have enjoyed teaching, coaching, and living in Star Valley,” Crosby said. “It is such an amazing community. Working with the football players, Coach Chris Howell (previous head coach), Coach McKay Young (current head coach), and the other assistant coaches has been a blessing and privilege that I’ll treasure the rest of my life.”

Ultimately, a desire to be close to his hometown of Lovell and to his family roots in the Bighorn Basin pushed Crosby to apply for the opening. Crosby also said Lovell as a community and school district provides good support for athletics.

“My roots to Lovell and nearby Cowley go back a couple of generations on both sides of my family, and I know Lovell is a great place to raise a family,” Crosby said. ” … I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to take what I have learned with me to teach and coach in Lovell, and I am especially grateful for a wife and kids who have supported me along the way.”

Crosby replaces Jeny Gardner, who went 1-8 in her lone season as head coach.

Crosby teaches math at Star Valley High School. Crosby also played in the 2000 Shrine Bowl representing Lovell.

Other programs seeking new coaches for 2019 include Gillette, Kelly Walsh, Rock Springs and Wyoming Indian. Additionally, Glenrock has named its new head coach for 2019. If you know of other head coaching changes statewide, please email me at pschmiedt@yahoo.com.

–patrick

Updated 9:48 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, with comments from Crosby.