This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Pleasant Grove football coach Les Hamilton is returning to the Draper area to coach Summit Academy in the 2A classification, The Tribune confirmed on Tuesday.
"Summit Academy is a blessing for my family," Hamilton said. "... Four years ago, when they first opened, I talked to them in-depth about going, and I almost went there. It seems like the timing is right to help them push their program to the next level. They're going to be 2A this year. They're going to bump up to 3A the following year, and I'd imagine they'll be 4A in the next five years. It feels like a great opportunity."
Hamilton has a career record of 96-50 at four different schools since 2003. He replaces Scott Gorringe, the only coach the four-year charter school has ever employed. Gorringe led the Bears to a runner-up finish in 2014 and finished with a record of 23-21.
Hamilton started his career at Grantsville, where he led the Cowboys to a 14-11 mark in two seasons, in 2003 before taking over at Alta. During his tenure with the Hawks from 2005-10, Hamilton accumulated an overall record of 51-15, which included five straight appearances in the Class 5A semifinals and consecutive state championships in 2007 and 2008.
Hamilton resigned at Alta amid allegations of bribery, and was later cleared of any wrongdoing, but he had already accepted a position as a seafood exporter in Chile. He spent eight months in South America before returning to Utah to coach Hunter in 2011. The Wolverines finished 3-7 in Hamilton's only year in West Valley City,
For the past four seasons, Hamilton has coached Pleasant Grove, leading the Vikings to two quarterfinal berths and an overall record of 28-17.
"It's a unique school," Hamilton said of Summit Academy. "It's a just a good fit, I think, at the right time."
—Trevor Phibbs
Twitter: @trevorphibbs