Paul Peterson Retires as Eagle Football Coach
The first time I met Paul Peterson was 1983 in Bozeman, Montana during a Friday afternoon practice as Idaho State prepared to play Montana State in a Big Sky game I would call for ABC Regional television.Peterson was the Bengals starting quarterback.
As a former Idaho State Bengal myself, I had to assure ABC I wouldn't lean towards the Bengals in making the calls from the booth. I remember telling Peterson good luck but that was as close as I got to taking sides that day.
For the record, Montana State won the game in overtime.
Years later our paths would cross again as Peterson became the head football coach at Borah and I was the Sports Director at Channel 6.
Eventually Peterson moved on to Eagle and I to Channel 2 where I covered Peterson as he developed a winning tradition with the Mustangs in which during his 14 years he compiled a record of 109-40 (.732).
Each of the last 11 years Peterson took the Mustangs to the 5A State Playoffs but for the past couple of season's there was rumor Peterson was considering retirement. The rumor became true yesterday when Peterson handed in his resignation as head football coach.
Peterson will continue to teach at Eagle and he coaches a Pac-West Baseball team but he says it's time to spend more time with he family. He's a grandpa now and as I can attest to it changes your perspective.
Peterson finished his career at Idaho State in three top 10 categories of completions, passing yards and touchdowns and brought the same type of success to Eagle High.
When you throw in his time as Borah's head football coach Peterson's career high school coaching record is 133-54 (.711)..