Utah Valley sports phenoms from outside the lines
By Matt Bennett, utahvalley360.com
High school coaches have strong influences. Meet our top 10 high school coaches in Utah Valley.
1. Louis Wong
Timpview High School
After winning five state championships in six years, there is no debating that Coach Louis Wong has been successful on the Timpview gridiron.
But what makes Louis our No. 1 high school coach has as much to do with his influence off the field.
Timpview principal George Bayles calls Louis “an outstanding teacher and builder of young men.” In addition to producing NFL-caliber talent, Louis teaches a class for struggling students.
Timpview also set a state record by winning 36 consecutive games.
2. Quincy Lewis
Lone Peak High School
What Timpview symbolizes to football (dominance) — Lone Peak has meant to basketball the past 10 years.
Boys basketball coach Quincy Lewis has coached the Knights to four of the past seven state championships.
Along the way Quincy has led a slew of talented players like Jackson Emery (BYU), Bracken Funk (Fresno State), Josh Sharp (Utah), Justin Hamilton (LSU) and Tyler Haws (BYU).
3. Craig Drury
Provo High School
Think of Provo High’s Craig Drury as the Bob Knight of Utah high school basketball.
Craig and his teams have won eight state championships in the 28 seasons he’s coached at Provo High.
During his coaching tenure, Craig has coached players like Mekeli and Tai Wesley (BYU/Utah State), Kyle and Chris Collinsworth (both BYU) and Brandon Davies (BYU).
4. Jim “Shoe” Nelson
Spanish Fork High School
Besides being the fourth winningest baseball coach in Utah state history, Jim “Shoe” Nelson is loved by past players and a community.
The Spanish Fork Recreation Department recently named the city’s baseball field after the coach.
“Shoe cares about the boys at all levels. He believes by working on the important things, winning will take care of itself,” says Doug Snell, athletic director at Spanish Fork High.
5. Kim Nelson
Timpanogos High School
Kim’s record speaks for itself: six state championships at two Utah Valley high schools in 27 years. His first two state championships came while he coached baseball at American Fork High (1984, 1985) and four at Timpanogos (2002, 2004, 2005 and 2008).
6. Deanna Meyer
Lone Peak High School
Girls volleyball coach Deanna Meyer has led Lone Peak High School to five of the past eight volleyball state championships.
Principal Koop says Deanna is “a great motivator and clinical coach.”
7. Nancy Warner
Springville High School
Just a couple months ago, Nancy and the girls basketball team at Springville High won a second straight state championship in girl’s basketball. Principal Mike Brown describes Nancy as “an excellent teacher and role model.”
8. Dan Lunt
Payson High School
Dan is a builder of boys and a competitive basketball program.
“Dan consistently turns out not only fine basketball teams but excellent young men who go on to contribute to our society in many ways,” says Ben Ford, Payson High principal.
9. Chris Chilcoat
Provo High School
Not only has Chris accepted a heavy coaching load at Provo (girls soccer and girls golf) but works diligently with ESL and at-risk students.
“Chris is willing to do whatever he’s asked and has a great attitude about teaching and coaching today’s youth,” says Kyle Bates, assistant principal.
10. Dennis Meyring
Lehi & Westlake High School
Dennis not only does double-duty (coaches swim teams at Lehi and Westlake), but he also mentors all athletes at the school, according to Lehi principal Jess Christian.