Note: Bingham finished with an 8-3 overall record in 2019 and was tied for first in Region 3 with a 4-1 record. It was RPI seed No. 3 in the 6A playoffs, and was eliminated by East 20-16 in quarterfinals.
SOUTH JORDAN — The coaching itch has brought Dave Peck back to the Bingham sidelines.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
Head coach: Dave Peck
One of the most decorated coaches in state history is back to lead the Miners after a five year hiatus. He previously coached at Bingham from 2000 to 2014, guiding the Miners to a 157-36 record and five state titles (2006, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014). He got his head coaching start at Cyprus from 1995 to 1999, leading the Pirates to a 20-30 record. His all-time coaching record sits at 182-71. Only eight head coaches in state history have reached 200 career wins and Peck could reach that plateau next season. He’s a graduate of Cyprus High School and Southern Utah University.
Peck, who coached Bingham to five state titles from 2000 to 2014, stepped away after that championship 2014 season to get away from the grind. In the past two years, though, he’s served as the defensive coordinator at North Sanpete for his nephew Rhett Bird, which included a couple of semifinal appearances.
Playing for a state championship in 2018, and then coming close again last year, reminded Peck how much enjoyed being on the sideline.
“It kind of lit a fire in me again. I think I was burned out a little bit when I got out,” said Peck.
Peck never expected to return to Bingham after stepping away, but when John Lambourne — his longtime assistant who took over for him — decided to take a similar break, Peck said he was immediately intrigued by the opening.
He picked a prime time to reclaim the head coaching job at Bingham, as he inherits a team loaded with talented. Offensively, nine players are back that started games last year, while seven defensive starters are back.
Among those starters are five offensive linemen, Lavaka Taukeiaho, LJ Tufele, Don Fairholm, George Maile and Weylin Lapuaho. They’ll be protecting returning starting quarterback Troy Mehn, one of the inspirational leaders on the team, according to Peck.
With depth and talent at the skill positions, Peck is very excited for the upcoming season offensively.
“Offensively we have a chance to be really, really good. Talented kids and a lot of kids coming back,” he said.
Anchoring the defense is a very strong group of linemen, featuring returning starters Taniela Pepa and Tupou Maile, and then increased contributor Calvin Kengike.
Bingham Miners at a glance
Coach Peck’s thoughts on how his players dealt the COVID-19 adversity in the spring and summer:
“I think they did pretty well considering everything. We ended up having three or four cases when it was all said and done, so we kind of got shut down here and there a little bit. Our summer camp, we had some scrimmages planned and we ended up canceling them all. It’s definitely been what I would say is the most challenging summer I’ve ever been through as a football coach. ”
2020 Schedule
Aug. 14 — WEBER, 7 p.m.
Aug. 27 — CORNER CANYON, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 — TIMPVIEW, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 — at Westlake, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 — HERRIMAN, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 — at East, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 — RIVERTON, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 — at Jordan, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 — COPPER HILLS, 7 p.m.
Bingham Offensive Snapshot
Offensive coordinator: Josh Johnson
2019 offense: 30.5 (7th in 6A)
2019 offensive statistics
- 9 returning starters
- Multiple I-backs offense
Returning offensive starters
- Troy Mehn (QB)
- Isaiah Glasker (WR)
- Cael Wightman (RB)
- Josh Woolf (TE)
- Lavaka Taukeiaho (OL)
- LJ Tufele (OL)
- Don Fairholm (OL)
- George Maile (OL)
- Weylin Lapuaho (OL)
Offensive newcomers to watch
- Saia Lomu (FB)
- Hunter Rains (WR)
- Jake Mortensen (Slot)
Coach Peck’s keys for offensive success in 2020:
“We’ve got a new offensive coordinator and we have a new O-line coach, but they’re guys that have been in the program and I’ve coached with them for 20-plus years, so you’re not going to see a lot of change. I think you might see us in shotgun a little bit more, but we know how we need to go win games and that’s not going to change a whole lot. I just think it’s going to be everybody buying into the system and how well they mesh. ... I think talent-wise they’re as talented as just about any of the teams we’ve had at Bingham. We didn’t lose a game in the state of Utah my last two years and this team is every bit as talented as those teams.”
Bingham Defensive Snapshot
Defensive coordinator: Vae Tata
2019 defense: 18.1 ppg (5th in 6A)
2019 defensive statistics
- 7 returning starters
- 3-4 defense
Returning defensive starters
- Vili Po’uha (LB)
- Sam Sinoti (LB)
- Taitwoine Sanders (DB)
- Will Hamilton (CB)
- Isaiah Glasker (DB)
- Taniela Pepa (DL)
- Tupou Maile (DL)
Defensive newcomers to watch
- Calvin Kengike (DL)
- Brandon Malu (LB)
- Maxton Peck (LB)
- Diego Grateron (LB)
- Thomas Johnson (S)
Coach Peck’s keys for offensive success in 2020:
“We’ve got a new defensive system and a new D-coordinator, which has been a little bit different for me, as I’ve usually called my own defense. Vae Tata moved her this summer. He comes from California but he was the head coach at Kahuku for a couple years. He won their last state championship and went undefeated in 2015. He’s coached at Stanford, he was a D-coordinator at junior college in California and him and his wife decided to make Utah their home. He reached out to me and said I’ve love to join your staff.”
Deseret News outlook for 2020
Bingham’s 56-28 loss to Corner Canyon in Week 3 last season represented a changing of the guard in 6A. The state title no longer went through South Jordan, it clearly went through Corner Canyon — which the Chargers backed up with a championship. Bingham ranked outside the top four in both scoring offense and scoring defense last season in 6A, and getting the defense back to its dominant days of the past will be key to Bingham in every game, but especially in the much-anticipated rematch against Corner Canyon in Week 3 again.
Felt’s Facts for Bingham High School
- All-time record: 518-368-30 (96 years)
- Region championships: 27 (1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1960, 1963, 1991 co, 1996 co, 1999 co, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 co, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 co, 2019 co)
- Playoff appearances: 47
- All-time playoff record: 65-36
- State championships: 11 (1939, 1941, 1945, 1946, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
- State championship record: 11-2
- Most played rivalry: 54 meetings with Cyprus dating back to 1926. Cyprus leads 24-22-8. Last met in 1992.
Last 5 Seasons
- 2019 — 8-3 (4-1 in Region 3 – 6A Quarterfinals)
- 2018 — 10-2 (3-1 in Region 4 – 6A Semifinals)
- 2017 — 13-0 (4-0 in Region 4 – 6A Champions)
- 2016 — 14-0 (6-0 in Region 3 – 5A Champions)
- 2015 — 11-2 (6-0 in Region 3 – 5A Semifinals)
Bingham coaching history
- 2020 — Dave Peck (0-0)
- 2015-2019 — John Lambourne (56-9) *2 State Titles
- 2000-2014 — Dave Peck (157-36) *5 State Titles
- 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) *4 State Titles
- 1925-1927 — Tommy McMullen (4-14)
- 1910 — Ira Masters (2-3)
Deseret News All-State Archives
Check out our archives of Deseret News all-state teams from 1929 to 2019 at Deseret.com.
Bingham All-State at-a-glance
Deseret News Mr. Football recipients
- 2009 — Tuni Kanuch, OL
Deseret News MVPs the past 10 years
- 2017 — Simote Pepa, DE
- 2016 — Daniel Loua, DB
- 2013 — Scott Nichols, RB
- 2010 — Stephan Cantwell, QB
Deseret News First Team All-Staters the past 10 years
- 2019 — Sione Fotu, MLB
- 2018 — Lolani Langi, OLB
- 2018 — Simote Pepa, DT
- 2017 — Brandon Lopez, K
- 2017 — Kobi Matagi, S
- 2017 — Tanner Merrill, CB
- 2017 — Lolani Langi, OLB
- 2017 — Saleka Ataata, MLB
- 2017 — Brayden Cosper, WR
- 2016 — Jahvontay Smith, RB
- 2016 — Cole Clemens, OT
- 2016 — Langi Tuifua, DE
- 2016 — Brigham Tuatagaloa, MLB
- 2015 — Cole Clemens, OL
- 2015 — Jay Tufele, DL
- 2015 — Langi Tuifua, DL
- 2015 — Simote Lokotui, DB
- 2015 — Kyle Mitchell, K
- 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