SOUTH JORDAN — Bingham coach Dave Peck isn’t one for pretense and offers none when asked about all the challenges involved with coaching through the extraordinary circumstances dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been the most difficult coaching year of my life, and it’s not even really close,” Peck stated bluntly last week. “I never thought I’d have to deal with the things I have this year — no one has.”
The issues are ever-present and have come at Bingham on an inconsistent basis, which has compounded the ability to respond effectively. Furthermore, the issues are likely to last through the end of the Utah prep football season with the hope they clear up in time for next season.
“It’s been the most difficult coaching year of my life, and it’s not even really close. I never thought I’d have to deal with the things I have this year — no one has.” — Bingham coach Dave Peck
Peck’s resume as a high school football coach is unmatched for what he accomplished at Bingham from 2000-2014, with five state championships won by the Miners during that span. Throughout those 14 seasons, Bingham proved the most consistent top program in the state, in large part due to Peck’s consistent application of preparation throughout the offseason until the final game was played.
But all that consistency has proven all but impossible to harness during Peck’s first year back at Bingham after spending five years away from head coaching.
“It’s not even close to the same. It can’t be, and yeah, it’s been an enormous frustration, although we certainly understand the reasons behind it,” Peck said. “But it’s not just us, of course, and I don’t want to even pretend that our issues are greater than any other teams, because I don’t know. Every team has had to deal with this — some more than others, sure, but we’ve all had challenges.”
The specific challenges for Bingham began early in the offseason, when the team couldn’t work out until early June, due to school district mandates. But when the Miners were given clearance, things were quickly shut down again soon after due to cases identified within and around the team.
“We basically didn’t have a summer camp,” Peck said. “So we try and catch up after not being able to have that, only to have our very first game of the season canceled due to more COVID issues. So that’s what it’s pretty much been like. You get behind, try and catch up, only to fall behind again.”
But Peck and his team understand the serious nature of the virus, perhaps more so than most due to the impact coming very close to home.
In August, Bingham lineman LJ Tufele, who is the younger brother of USC standout Jay Tufele, saw his sister Noreen check into the hospital to be treated for the COVID-19 virus. She appeared to be on the road to recovery before taking a turn for the worse and has spent most of her stay in the intensive care unit.
She’s still there, struggling to make a full recovery while doctors explore all options.
“It’s a really, really sad thing and we’re still hopeful. But yeah, it’s a constant reminder to all of us how serious this thing is,” Peck said.
Jay Tufele has set up a GoFundMe page for his sister.
Given all the adverse circumstances, and with several states electing to not take the field this fall, it leaves the question if all of it has been worth it.
“Even though it’s been as tough as it has been, there’s no question it’s worth it,” Peck said. “It’s huge for these kids to be able to play football and because of everything that’s hit us, I think kids here are not taking it for granted and being as careful as they can to make sure we keep going. It means everything for these kids — especially the seniors.”
Bingham (5-3) will finish off the regular season playing a home game versus Copper Hills. The program will then enter the postseason with a much lower seeding than is typical, although Peck remains optimistic regarding his team’s chances.
“It’s been rare when we’ve been able to really go into any stretch with all our players available, but I think if we can have everyone available, with no restrictions, then I’m confident this team can go far,” Peck said. “I’m just really proud of all of them for keeping with it and keeping good attitudes through all of it. I feel all of them will be better for getting through this, at least that’s my hope.”