After a tumultuous season, the Murray football team will start fresh in 2012 with a new head coach — one who is also new to high school coaching.
Mike Richmond, a former quarterback for the University of Utah, takes the reigns of the Spartans after they suffered a one-win year and their coach resigned midseason. Richmond has worked with the Murray youth football programs most recently, and his progress there convinced prinicipal David Dunn that he would be the right person to overhaul the high school program.
"While he doesn't have the high school coaching experience, he has the passion and a philosophy that matches what we want to do," Dunn said. "Coming from a Division I background, he's very knowledgeable about the game, and he knows how to work with young men."
The Spartans fortunes for the worse this year as losses piled up. Coach Dan Aragon stepped down from the position amid friction with the community and allegations of emotional abuse. Dunn confirmed that the allegations were "cleared up" and Aragon is still a teacher at the school.
Richmond, who has children who are in the Murray system, said he had kept out of the politics of the previous coaching staff, and was concentrated on moving the program forward.
"A lot of it is the community — I felt I could make a difference where I live," Richmond said. "I love coaching, and I see a program that's had its challenges. But I know there's a great community behind us that wants new life and energy in this program, and I believe that I have the background to do that."
Richmond first came to Utah to play football for the Utes, playing under Jim Fassel and Ron McBride. After his quarterbacking days were over in 1991, Richmond settled in Murray and became a real estate agent. He'll continue his job in real estate, he said.
Richmond said he knows many of the athletes in the Murray program, but had not yet met the team officially as its coach. Dunn said he expected the team would formally meet after the holiday break.
— Kyle Goon
kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon
