SANDPOINT — After 11 years as a coach in the Sandpoint High girls basketball program, seven as head coach, Will Love will be transitioning to the new head coach of the boys program, announced Thursday, April 17, by school admin via Facebook.

While the move may be surprising to some, Love originally started his coaching career roughly 16 years ago as the boys' junior varsity head coach (three years) and as a varsity assistant coach (one year). He was also an assistant of the girls' program for four years under Duane Ward before leading the Lady Bulldogs to an impressive run over the last seven years — a run that included the first girls state championship in school history in 2023, five Inland Empire League district titles, and five state tournament berths.

Reflecting on his time in the girls' program, Love said the relationships that he formed with others is what sticks out the most.

"Just really proud of what we were able to accomplish," Love, who compiled a 99-68 (.593) record as head coach, said. "To be able to have essentially a decade long run, win three state trophies, qualify for state eight times (over 11 years total), it's pretty amazing to think about the success that we had. The state championship experience in 2023 is something I'll never forget and always cherish."

The 2024-2025 5A IEL Coach of the Year honoree said it was a tough decision, but the timing was right, especially considering the point at which he is at in his coaching career and with the great people that are currently a part of the girls program.

"It was always something in the back of my mind," Love, a 1995 graduate of Sandpoint High, said of the boys head coaching job. "As a former basketball player here at Sandpoint High School, I thought it would be fun to coach the boys some day."

Love said he's excited about the new opportunity and that some of the things he did while head coach of the girls program will be implemented in the boys program, both on and off the court. 

"I'm super excited to be able to coach the boys," Love said. "Coach Childs did a great job during his time here. I have been getting to know the players the last week or so and I'm looking forward to working with them."

"Some of the things we did (in the girls program) might be considered untraditional, but I would say they're actually quite modern, contemporary approaches between skill acquisition, offensive and defensive principles, etc." Love noted about the changes he'd be implementing. "I'm excited to bring that over to the boys' side, introduce that to them, and see what happens. I'm going to work hard to get the boys in a position where we can compete for a league title, a regional title, and for a state trophy. That's the ultimate goal."

Love announced that both Chris Taylor, junior varsity head coach, and Matt Majors, junior varsity 2 head coach, will remain on the coaching staff and that he is looking forward to working with them.

Overall, Sandpoint High Athletic Director TJ Clary said the move is one that will ensure Bulldog boys basketball continues to trend in the right direction.

"It's going to be a loss for the girls, hands down," Clary said. "He had that program dialed in, but at the same time, we'll be able to take the talent that our boys have and quite possibly take them to the next level."

Clary said the difference between Love and others is that he is a coach that embodies the idea of transformational leadership.

"He understands winning on and off the court," Clary said. "Everyone wants to win, but you have to win in more places than just on the scoreboard. Him and I are aligned on that."

A head girls basketball coach has yet to be hired, but the school district is currently in the works of interviewing potential candidates for the position, in which there are big shoes to fill.

"We're excited to see what the new coach will bring," Clary said of the girls program. "Every time there is a change like this, it's just another opportunity for someone to be able to step up and get better."