BK hires former Boise Burn coach
wlove@idahopress.com
Thursday, March 19th, 2009
Bishop Kelly's new football coach has a familiar name to football fans in the Treasure Valley — arena football fans, that is.
BK athletic director Dean Satterfield announced Wednesday the school has hired former Boise Burn head coach and general manager Lee Leslie, 48, to coach the Knights' football program.
"There is some real talented kids there," said Leslie, who will be the 11th head coach in the school's history. "I am excited to get back to that level and work with the kids again."
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Leslie was hired as the Burn's first head coach and general manager in 2006, but his contract was not renewed last season after the arenafootball2 franchise finished 8-8 in back-to-back season and failed to make the playoffs either year.
While he has coached arena football since 2003, Leslie is no stranger to high school football. He has nearly two decades of coaching experience at the high school level, including stints at Toolee and Hillcrest high schools in Utah.
At Bishop Kelly, Leslie will try to return the Knights to the 4A state playoffs after the team finished 4-5 last season and failed to qualify. The absence snapped a streak of playoff appearances by Bishop Kelly that dated back to 1999.
Leslie replaces Jack Parker, who resigned at the end of last season after finishing 9-10 in two seasons. Parker had been a long-time assistant before taking over as head coach.
Leslie said he understands his hiring signifies a change for a football program that has one of the best winning percentages in the state.
"I look forward to the challenge," Leslie said. "I think when people get to know me and my family they will know we are focused in the right direction."
Leslie is in the process of hiring assistant coaches, which he said could include some of the Burn players he has coached.
Skyview players to sign LOIs
NAMPA — Skyview football players will sign letters of intent Friday to play college football.
Tanner Stimpson and Andrew Slack both plan to play for Western Montana. The signing will be a 3 p.m. at the SkyHawk Hall in front of the trophy case at Skyview High School.
