After 27 years under longtime head coach Eddie Clark, Star Valley High School wrestling is entering a new era with Brigg Hoopes taking over as the program’s new head coach. Hoopes is the first new head coach of the Star Valley wrestling program in the 21st century, following Clark’s 27-year run as head coach.
Clark built one of the most successful wrestling programs in Star Valley history. During his time at Star Valley, Clark finished with a dual record of 574-76-1, coached 60 state champions and 271 additional state placers, and was part of 12 state championship titles, including 11 with the boys team and one with the girls team. His overall coaching record is 624-111-2. Now, Hoopes hopes to continue that success while bringing his own experience and goals to the team.
Hoopes has been involved in wrestling for 24 years, starting when he was just four years old. During his wrestling career, he placed at state, finished as a state runner-up, was part of Star Valley’s first championship team during a run of seven straight championships, and earned a scholarship to wrestle at the Division I level at UVU.
One of Hoopes’ biggest experiences came when he was wrestling for a state championship against a wrestler who was trying to win his fourth state championship. Hoopes was pushing to pull off the upset and came extremely close to winning the match. However, a questionable call late in the match played a role in the outcome, leaving Hoopes as the state runner-up.
For Hoopes, wrestling has always been about more than just winning matches.
“Wrestling teaches foundations of discipline like hard work,” Hoopes said. “It teaches people to do hard things in a controlled environment.”
He said wrestling has also taught him important lessons about discipline and emotional control. His experience in the state finals was one of the moments that taught him the most.
“Losing in the state finals and earning a scholarship were both big teaching moments for me,” Hoopes said.
Now that he is taking over the Star Valley program, Hoopes has big goals for the future. His main goal is to help the Braves reach the top while also developing the athletes into successful young men.
“I want to take us to the top and help build successful young men,” Hoopes said.
Assistant coach Corey Bassett also brings his own experience to the program. Bassett placed second at state as a sophomore and fifth as a junior. He said one of the things he enjoys most about wrestling is the competition and the fact that success depends on what an individual puts into the sport.
“It’s about what you can do in it and you don’t have to rely on the team,” Bassett said. “It’s about what you put in.”
Bassett said he is excited to work with Hoopes and have him pass on the knowledge he has gained throughout his wrestling career. He believes the wrestlers have plenty of potential if they are willing to put in the work.
“He has the potential for everyone,” Bassett said. “You just have to dig deep and have the capability to improve.”
Bassett also believes wrestling challenges athletes mentally as much as it does physically.
“The sport is one where you test yourself in many ways,” Bassett said. “You have to battle through your mind and your own challenges to get where you want to be.”
The wrestlers have also started to notice the difference Hoopes brings to the program. Senior wrestler Hazen Hess said his experience with Hoopes has already been positive.
“My experience with Coach Brigg has been very good,” Hess said. “I have already learned a lot, from technique to what I need to do both inside and outside of high school wrestling.”
Hess said Hoopes has also helped the wrestlers understand how to prepare for the upcoming season. He believes Hoopes’ experience and teaching ability will be important for the team.
“Coach Brigg is a good teacher with the experience we need for the season,” Hess said. “I feel like he will work equally with everyone, which we need.”
As he enters his senior season, Hess has high expectations for himself and the team. His biggest individual goal is to win a state championship, but he wants to accomplish more than just putting a championship on his resume.
“I want to work as hard as I can so I can be confident in my technique, strength, speed, endurance and, most of all, my mentality,” Hess said.
Hess also hopes the team can build a stronger bond throughout the season.
“Most importantly, I want to help the team become a brotherhood,” Hess said. “I know in the past we have struggled with this, and this year I want both myself and my team and my brothers to achieve their goals.”
With a new coach taking over after Clark’s 27-year tenure, the Braves are beginning a new chapter. Hoopes will look to use his 24 years of wrestling experience to continue Star Valley’s tradition of success while teaching his wrestlers the same lessons of hard work, discipline and perseverance that wrestling has taught him.
For Hess, the excitement surrounding the new season is already building.
“I am very excited this year with the team and the coach,” Hess said.
