Hurst new SHS volleyball coach

Former coach

returns to program where he won four state titles

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

SANDPOINT — Jeff Hurst won four state titles in his first nine-year stint as Sandpoint volleyball coach, so he certainly knows what it takes to get to the top, and he’s hoping for a repeat performance after being hired on Tuesday to replace Erin Roos as the Bulldogs head volleyball coach.

Hurst led the Bulldogs to 5A state titles in 1994, 1995 and 1999, and a 4A state title in 2000, to highlight his first tenure at the helm of the perennial state power from 1993-2002.

He was brimming with energy and confidence on Tuesday, eager for a chance to return the storied program to its championship past, of which he played a part. He said he would love to put another banner in the gym, and plans to start singing the fight song again after wins.

“What’s the brand? Let’s get back to being champions. I’m excited to put Sandpoint back on the map, so to speak. It would be great in three years to go down to the southern schools and say ‘hey, Sandpoint’s back,’” said Hurst. “If we cast that vision, develop that dream, create that desire and passion. . .I love getting fired up about sports, it’s the best.”

Hurst, 50, is currently a strength training specialist in Sandpoint. He has a deep volleyball background, having played outside hitter in college at Ohio State University, where he was a four time all Big 10 player and three time All-American, calling it an “awesome experience.” From there he played three years on the pro beach volleyball tour and lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, before eventually ending up at Sandpoint.

He admits he’ll bring a high level of intensity and focus to the job.

“If you’re going to be successful in anything, you have to be intense. Passion, excitement, enthusiasm, intensity, a positive experience,” said Hurst of his coaching style. “When you go through the fire, the hard work, it builds up in you and it shows on the court. I believe in the multi-sport athlete. Give me 10 athletes and we’ll do great.”

The Bulldogs have won 14 state volleyball titles, the last coming in 2008. The team is always among the best in North Idaho and a regular state participant, including under the four-year run of Roos, but the program has not been a dominant factor at state in nearly a decade.

Hurst is hoping to take the program back into title contention, and admits it starts with building confidence.

“Establishing that vision. There’s plenty of talent here in Sandpoint. We need to direct that focus, give them the environment they can excel in,” described Hurst. “It used to be Sandpoint was the brand. We need that belief.”

Hurst also plans to bring back the old tradition of singing the Sandpoint High School fight song after wins.

“They will sing the fight song after a win,” claimed Hurst, as his teams used to more than two decades ago. “Every match we won, we ran out in the middle of the floor, ‘fight, fight, fight for Sandpoint’ and bring the house down.”

The proliferation of club volleyball has leveled the playing field and strong edge that Sandpoint had when they were racking up many of those early banners, and it’s tougher than ever to win state titles with the new parity.

Sandpoint athletic director Kris Knowles feels like he’s landed a coach with a championship pedigree and résumé in Hurst.

“Jeff has a ton of experience as a high school head coach and knows what it takes to produce championship volleyball in Idaho. His teams at SHS during his first run were dominating inside the Inland Empire League,” said Knowles. “We are happy to have Jeff as part of our athletic staff and look forward to great things in volleyball.”