Les Hamilton hired as Hunter football coach (updated)

UPDATE: The full Tribune story on Les Hamilton's return can be read here.

Six months ago, Les Hamilton said he doubted he would coach football again.

Turns out, he won't even miss one season.

In eight months since resigning from Alta, Hamilton has moved to Chile, been investigated for accepting bribes, been cleared of wrongdoing, moved back from Chile and, last weekend, hired as the head football coach at Hunter High School.

In six seasons, Hamilton led Alta to five state semifinals and two championships. Before the end of last year — a 4-7 campaign that ended in the first round — Hamilton announced he was moving to Chile to work for the parent of a player. The Deseret News first reported Hamilton's return.

Hamilton replaces Dustin Pearce, who resigned earlier this month. That the Wolverines got a coach of Hamilton's caliber was a surprise, even to those doing the hiring, said Hunter Athletic Director Pam Olson."Usually you don't have a lot of applicants who have that much experience," she said. "It was nice to see that name on the list."

— Bill Oram