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SOUTH JORDAN — Replacing a head coach of any program is never easy.
But as Bingham High School prepares to break in a new head football coach for the first time in 15 years, it's about as smooth as can be expected.
Longtime offensive coordinator John Lambourne replaces legendary coach Dave Peck as the leader of the Miners, but Lambourne's job was made a little easier with the return of 18 of 21 assistant coaches from last year's team that went 13-1 and won its second-straight Class 5A state championship.
"Part of that was coach Peck's leadership, and we created a pretty good staff," said Lambourne, a friend of Peck for nearly 30 years who coached with the former coach at three schools over 21 years. "I don't know that things are going to change much in that way."
The Miners open the season Friday at 7 p.m. against Westlake, and though he's been around the program for a while, Lambourne expects to rely plenty on his staff. The continuity has helped his players trust in the new tweaks he's brought to the same system, both on offense and defense.
"I'm sure they have some concerns about coach Peck not being here," Lambourne said of past coach, who wrapped up his tenure at Bingham with a 154-37 record, "but as each day goes by, those get dispelled.
"Right now, we're just worrying about the day-to-day and gettings things done. If I didn't have such terrific coaches around me, I think I would feel more (pressure). But this is a collective effort."
High expectations are a part of the fabric of Bingham football. With five state championships since 2006, the Miners have come to regard themselves — and often embrace — a new target every season. In 10 of the last 15 years, Bingham finished the season in the state semifinals or better.
Still, the Miners treat every season with "a chip on their shoulder," according to junior defensive lineman Jay Tufele.
"It's nothing new; we just have to play hard every game," added Tufele, who finished last season with 55 tackles and 5 sacks. "It helps us get through the day. We know everyone is shooting for us. It's fun."
Still, there are a few differences between the old coach and the new guard. One place the Miners have noticed an early difference is in the audible levels at practice. Peck was known as a strong talker, a fast-talking coach who led as much by word as by example.
Lambourne's style is a bit more subdued, leaning heavily on analytics and taking a quiet tone in private teaching moments with his players.
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High school football is only a week away, and the "Game Night Live" TV crew of Jeremiah Jensen and Rod Zundel sat down with Amy Donaldson of the Deseret News to talk about old favorites, new faces and the always-popular UHSAA realignment."Coach Peck was a talker. Coach Lambourne isn't as vocal as Peck," Tufele said. "He's been making us go hard. He wants us to be better than we've ever been, so he's making me better. I really like coach Lambourne."
Just as he will lean on the foundation laid by Peck and other coaches at Bingham, Lambourne expects his players to remember the legacy of the Miners of years past. Back-to-back 5A state titles, a national ranking and an unbeaten record against in-state competition a year ago will also help do that.
"That just brings out more from our team, more motivation to get the job done," said senior safety Simote Lokotui, who had 56 tackles, a sack and an interception a year ago. "It hasn't changed. We want to win each game, then make the playoffs and try to get that championship."
Contributing: Jeremiah Jensen
