Note: Bingham finished with a 13-1 overall record in 2014 and first in Region 3 with a 5-0 record. Bingham defeated American Fork 20-3 in the 5A championship.
SOUTH JORDAN — Some may see the change at head coach and assume that means this season Bingham won't be the powerhouse it's been the last decade.
That would be a dangerous assumption to make, according to the players who wear the Miner uniform.
“I think they’re going to think we’re vulnerable just because coach (Dave) Peck isn’t here, and he was here for so long and had so much success,” said senior defensive back Ethan Erickson. “Personally, I don’t think it’s going to be that big of a deal because of the interaction coach (John) Lambourne has had with coach Peck. The tradition goes all the way down to little league. It’s that attitude of winning.” John Lambourne and Dave Peck were friends for nearly three decades and coached together at three different schools. Lambourne was Bingham’s offensive coordinator for 15 years as Peck, a defensive mind, lead a talented staff in building a perennial power.
Peck’s final prep season was a perfect scenario as the Miners finished the year with an unbeaten record in region play and a 13-1 overall mark. Beloved by the community, revered by those he played for, Lambourne said he doesn’t feel any more pressure than he’s always felt.
“I am comfortable with the expectations,” said Lambourne, whose been a head coach before, albeit many years ago. “That comes with having been part of the program, but it also comes with a lot of years (coaching). Nobody from the outside is going to put more pressure on me than I put on me.”
Bingham’s players said so little has changed since Lambourne took over, it’s difficult to articulate how the program is different. “Just missing coach Peck, that’s all,” said Langi Tuifua, a junior defensive end. “People will think (the change) is a weakness, but a lot of things are still the same.”
The players said the tradition is more an honor than a burden, even if it means one of their most diligent fights is against complacency.
“A lot of the players this year were a little lazy,” Tuifua said. “Me and Ethan (Erickson) came out here and, I was the example leader, he was the vocal leader. We felt a little complacency, but that’s changed. We just do more. We’ve been doing more than we’ve ever done before.”
Lambourne said the effort of his players comes from the philosophy that all of the coaches in the program share, which is to just improve each day. That keeps them from focusing on the score, the opponent or rankings and helps them become they best they can be, regardless of the competition.
“There is a whole lot more to it than people think,” Tuifua said. “It’s just focusing on small things. The teams before us, they left big goals for us.”
The success of the past gives current players high expectations to live up to.
“I’m honored to play here,” said senior wide receiver Schyler Shoemaker. “With all of the tradition and respect that this school has, it’s definitely an honor to come out and wear the Bingham jersey.” Even those who didn’t play much, and even if the team operates under a new head coach, this year’s players feel like that state title is theirs to defend.
“We’ve got to defend that,” Tuifua said.
Rather than viewing the tradition of winning as a burden, the players said it can sometimes help them with a mental edge.
“I think it helps us,” Erickson said. “Because of everybody who's gone before us …It also gets in our opponents' minds. They kind of psyche themselves out when they come out on the field. They just see us, and a lot of times, they beat themselves before we even come out.”
Lambourne said he believes the program is much bigger than one person, even one of its key leaders like Peck.
“I would never want to downplay the role of Dave Peck,” Lambourne said. “Or the role he’s played in building this program. …At the same time, I would never want to downplay the role of the 10 other coaches. And they’re still here. That makes (the pressure) better for me. I don’t know if I would even do this if they weren’t here. The comfort level would not be quite where I want it to be.”
He said the foundation that Peck built remains, including the passion and work ethic that are key components.
“I would think if someone came and watched practice last year, and then came and watched practice this year, they would say, ‘Hey, it looks the same to me,’” Lambourne said. “The expectations, what we do, it’s the same.”
Lambourne is excited about the return of key players like Shoemaker, lineman Cole Clemens and the addition of quarterback Keaton Torre. On the defensive side of the ball, the team returns last year’s three linemen and two outside linebackers.
“In terms of stability, nobody is going to have it better than that,” Lambourne said smiling.
He bristles a little at the characterization that Bingham is a defensive-oriented team.
“I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that,” he said grinning. “I would hope there is a much more balanced conversation. This has been a program where the offense has strengthened the defense, and the defense has strengthened the offense. …And if there was really a consistent, year in and year out strength, it would have to be our special teams.”
In addition to a new head coach, the Miners will compete in a new region — one that includes Brighton, Jordan, West Jordan, Copper Hills, Cottonwood and Taylorsville, all programs that Bingham considers traditional rivals.
Shoemaker sums up the expectations and the goals of the Miners — old and new.
“We’ve worked really hard, starting with weights in the offseason,” he said. “We plan to come out and play better every single game and try to win another state championship.
Miners at a glance
Head Coach: John Lambourne takes over the Bingham program after 15 years as an assistant to former coach Dave Peck. The graduate of Cottonwood and the University of Utah said no one will put more pressure on him to continue Bingham’s winning tradition than himself.
Offense (6 returning starters; multiple)
Offensive Coordinator: John Lambourne (15th year)
Returning offensive starters:
Cole Clemens (LT)
Schyler Shoemaker (WR)
Jahvontay Smith (RB)
Porter Richards (RB)
Tavian Myers (LF)
Soni Ofahengaue (OL)
Defense (multiple; 7 returning starters)
Defensive coordinator: Karl Cloward (12 years assistant)
Returning defensive starters:
Parker Workman (OLB)
Langi Tuifua (DE)
Jay Tufele (DL)
Brigham Tuatagaloa (DL)
Simian Matagi (OLB)
Ethan Erickson (DB)
Simote LokoTui (S)
Coaches preseason Region 3 straw poll: First
Deseret News Region 3 prediction: First
Bottom line: Despite the change at head coach, not much has changed at Bingham. Lambourne helped build the program that he now leads, and he’s made very few substantial changes – on the field or off. The Miners return one of the biggest, most athletic lines in the state and benefit from the addition of Oklahoma native Keaton Torre at quarterback. This team will score a lot of points against any opponent, and deserve to be favored to repeat as 5A state champions.
Last 5
2014 — 13-1 (5-0 in Region 3 – 5A Champions)
2013 — 14-0 (5-0 in Region 3 –5A Champions)
2012 — 10-3 (4-1 in Region 4 – 5A Semifinals)
2011 — 9-3 (4-1 in Region 4 – 5A Quarterfinals)
2010 — 13-0 (6-0 in Region 3 – 5A Champions)
Bingham coaching history
2014 — John Lambourne (0-0)
2000-2013 — Dave Peck (157-36)
1985-1999 — Sonny Sudbury (80-74)
1979-1984 — Jerry Fiat (23-37)
1969-1978 — Roy Whitworth (42-50)
1967-1968 — Steve Dangerfield (3-14)
1962-1966 — Raynor Pearce (19-24)
1954-1961 — Del Schick (33-27)
1928-1953 — Bailey Santisteven (101-82)
1925-1927 — Tommy McMullen (4-14)
1910 — Ira Masters (2-3)
Deseret News Mr. Football recipients
2009 — Tuni Kanuch, OL
Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years
2013 — Scott Nichols, RB
2010 — Stephan Cantwell, QB
2006 — Jordan Pendleton, WR
Deseret News First Team All-Staters the past 10 years
2014 — Kyle Gearig, QB
2014 — Daniel Gasio, OL
2014 — Langi Tuifua, DL
2014 — Daniel Langi, LB
2014 — Kade Cloward, DB
2014 — Chayden Johnston, K
2013 — Dalton Schultz, TE
2013 — Aaron Amaama, OL
2013 — Mahonrai Toki, DL
2013 — Daniel Langi, LB
2013 — Nick Heninger, LB
2013 — Sky Manu, DB
2013 — Kade Cloward, DB
2012 — Lowell Lotulelei, DL
2012 — Durrant Miles, DL
2012 — Drake Miller, LB
2011 — Daniel Palepoi, RB
2011 — Poasi Taukeiaho, OL
2010 — Harvey Langi, RB
2010 — Jordan Hicks, OL
2010 — Kesni Tausinga, OL
2010 — Moses Kaumatule, DL
2010 — Jared Afalava, LB
2010 — Manoa Pikula, LB
2010 — Logan Parker, DB
2010 — Kyle Duke, K
2009 — Harvey Langi, RB
2009 — Bradyn Heap, OL
2009 — Seni Fauonuku, DL
2009 — Braden Anderson, DB
2009 — Travis McRae, DB
2008 — Harvey Langi, RB
2008 — Mike Edmunds, WR
2008 — Tuni Kanuch, OL
2008 — L.T. Filiaga, LB
2008 — Remington Peck, LB
2007 — Sam Langi, RB
2007 — Austin Holt, TE
2007 — Derek Tuimauga, OL
2007 — Iona Pritchard, LB
2007 — Justin Peck, DB
2007 — Justin Sorensen, K
2006 — Dusty Heap, QB
2006 — Doug Fiefia, RB
2006 — Austin Holt, TE
2006 — Derek Tuimauga, OL
2006 — Star Lotulelei, DL
2006 — Quenton Petersen, LB
2006 — Brock Ward, LB
2006 — Justin Sorensen, K
2005 — Stetson Peck, QB
2005 — Jonathan Cuff RB
2005 — Justin Degiulio, OL
2005 — A.J. VanValkenburg, LB
2005 — Zach Cook, DB
To view second team and honorable mention all-staters through the years, check out the Deseret News All-State Archives.
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