Sandpoint Lands Mat Coach Idaho Falls Assistant Expected To Be Named Taylor’s Successor

Eric Langley wanted to be a head high school wrestling coach in Idaho. Not just at any school, though.

Langley served as an assistant coach at Idaho Falls High the past two years. Idaho Falls ended Sandpoint’s string of three straight State A-1 championships last winter.

“I wouldn’t have pursued any other job except Sandpoint,” said Langley, who has been recommended to be Sandpoint’s next coach. His hiring is expected to be approved at a school board meeting next week.

Langley will succeed Dan Taylor, the architect of the Bulldogs’ powerhouse program. Taylor resigned two months ago so he could follow his son, Zac, in his final season at the University of Minnesota.

“I’m extremely thrilled that we could get Eric,” Sandpoint athletic director Jack Dyck said. “We’re just very fortunate to get somebody of his quality.”

Langley was one of three finalists. Mike Randles, the head volleyball coach at Clark Fork and an assistant under Taylor, and former Sandpoint head coach Ray Miller were also interviewed.

Langley will serve as a substitute teacher at the high school this year with hopes of landing a permanent job next year.

“To go anywhere else would have been a step down,” Langley said. “Idaho Falls and Sandpoint represent wrestling in Idaho.”

Langley, 32, is married. His wife is expectong with their first child, a girl, in mid-October.

Taylor had requested a one-year leave of absence to watch his son’s final collegiate season. But Taylor’s request was denied because he was a “walk-on” coach and not a certified teacher.

Langley considers the Top Dogs youth program, a feeder program Taylor started in 1985, among the top in the state.

“If you’d scored the state freestyle tournament (in the spring), the Top Dogs would have won,” Langley said.

, DataTimes