Photo By Loren Orr - #13 Henry Dryden
Written by Wayne Dzubak
Mike Altieri was hired last December to replace Jerry O’Mahony who, after three seasons and a 1-26 record, decided to hand the Boise High football program over to someone new.
Altieri has been the underdog before as part of the Boise State 2007 Fiesta Bowl team that famously shocked Oklahoma. That win, however, may have been a piece of cake compared to what Altieri faces in trying to turn the Boise football program around.
Altieri, 34, enters his first year as a head coach outside youth sports and has hired a completely new coaching staff.
“The coaching staff will improve this team by bringing new energy and a new attitude to Boise High,” said Altieri.
As for which players will make an impact in 2020 Altieri said this season is a clean slate, with opportunities available for anyone willing to put in the work.
Altieri has five seniors to lean on, including a pair of receivers in Kurt Bowden and Hudson Fortier. Every new coach can use some veteran lineman. Alteri has that in Jack Stewart and Fin Langston, who line up on both sides of the ball. At running back, Henry Dryden returns to provide the senior leadership.
Boise finished 0-9 last year and as mentioned, 1-26 the last three seasons and the Brave have just one state football crown to their name back in 1980. That’s just fine, Altieri said, because 2020 is all about a new start.
Altieri said he’s extremely excited about his new coaching staff, starting with offensive and defensive coordinators Joel Clark and Matt Campbell.
Clark is one of the best offensive coaches around, claims Altieri, who sees a balanced offense. Control the line of scrimmage, don’t turn the ball over and score are Altieri’s ingredients to success.
On defense, it’s all about tackling, eliminating big plays and creating turnovers. The goal of Defensive Coordinator Matt Campbell is for all 11 players flying around having fun and being unselfish.
Having fun has been tough to come by for Boise football in recent years but Altieri plans to change all of that in 2020.
Stay tuned to IdahoSports.com for updated scores and schedules.