Carbon Tabs Idaho Native Josh Huntsman Head Football Coach

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“You are going to see some football you have never seen,” said newly named head football coach of Carbon High School and Idaho native Josh Huntsman.

Huntsman was officially named head coach after the school board confirmed his hiring on Wednesday.

Huntsman will bring an exciting brand of football to Price, using a very aggressive style of play.

“There will be lots of onside kicks, going to two and few punts,” he said.

Huntsman also said he will change the defense up a bit, dropping more defenders into pass coverage. He will play just three down linemen and use five linebackers, meaning teams will have to throw against eight defenders.

On offense, Huntsman said they won’t just stick to one style. Fans will see some direct snap looks as well as Wing-T and spread options.

“But everything we do will be focused on what we do in the weight room,” he said.

Huntsman has been quite busy already, naming nine coaches to his staff. Though he hasn’t confirmed who will coach what, the following will roam the sidelines this summer and fall for the Dinos: Jeff Jorgensen, John Heuitt, Rob Smith, Mike Lessar, Casey Hopes, Frankie Tapia, Tyler Atwood, Steve Woodhouse and Danny Mower.

The Idaho native was born and raised in Newdale, a town of just over 300. He attended Sugar-Salem High School where he graduated in 1997. Huntsman attended Ricks College (now BYU Idaho) in Rexburg in 1998 where he grayshirted before leaving on an LDS Mission to Ventura, Calif. Upon his return, he played the 2001 season as a defensive end and long snapper. Huntsman then transferred to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa in late 2001 before an injury cut short his time there. He then made his way to Idaho State in 2002 where he played behind four-time All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl and current Chicago Bears defensive end Jared Allen.

Huntsman played some semi-pro ball in the Rocky Mountain Football League for the Eastern Idaho Lions before focusing on family and work.

Huntsman began his teaching and coaching career at Sugar-Salem High School where he taught from 2006-07. He then taught at Madison High School in Rexburg in 2008. From 2009-11, Huntsman taught and coached in Page, Ariz. He returned to Idaho to teach and coach at Sugar-Salem for the 2012-13 school years. During his two years there, he helped coach the Sugar Beets to two postseason appearances, each time reaching the second round. He finished up the past season as a volunteer assistant at Idaho Falls High School. Huntsman currently teaches at Eagle Rock Middle School in Idaho Falls. He will teach history at Carbon High.

Huntsman likes the small-town feel of Price and will relocate to the area when his contract expires in June. He applied for the job at the same time as former coach Jan Jorgensen last year and applied again when the position opened back up this year.

“I had applied not knowing anything about Price,” he said about the first time he applied. “I had a relative who went to school at Eastern and said she loved it. So, we are very excited to be moving to the community.”

Huntsman has four children with his wife Jeana, Carter (10), Cooper (7), Hallie (5) and Hayden (3).

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