Coach Scott Wooldridge bio - MatchupUT.com

CYPRUS FOOTBALL: Coach profile
Scott
Wooldridge:
Pirates coach welcomes changes
in his career, marriage and family
By Bruce Smith
Matchup
When you see Scott Wooldridge standing on
the football field, you’re looking at an eclectic
combination that Cyprus High School officials hope
will lead to a resurgence in their team.
Wooldridge is a mix of old and new. He’s 48
years old now – comfortably middle-aged – and is
appreciating the changes that have recently
occurred.
He is a graduate of Nampa High School. He
played there in the early 1980s, when Nampa was
much smaller and known mostly for sugar beets and
used cars. Years later, after the area had grown
exponentially, the administration invited him to
challenge all the glittering new schools that had
risen from what had been fertile farmland.
“It’s grown; no doubt about it,” Wooldridge
said. “It made the competition much better. But
football is football. Every team has talent. The kids
just need to have a goal and be motivated.”
The Bulldogs quickly rose to the challenge.
They won two league titles and even made the 4A
state championship game once. Wooldridge had
many good references, even from competing
coaches.
Wooldridge said he easily could have stayed
longer. He may not have reached all of his goals at
his alma mater, but that’s probably because a more
important one appeared. He moved to Utah to get
married and now he and his wife, Jennifer, are
starting their lives together.
A lot had to happen to make the change
occur. Wooldridge, however, believes that most
everything has fallen into place.
Last winter, he drove back-and-forth to Salt
Coach Scott Wooldridge is an Idaho native with a proven
record of winning and motivating high-school kids.
Lake City several
times to look for
work. Despite the
questionable
economy, there
were plenty of highschool
football jobs
“Football is football.
Every team has talent. The
kids just need to have a
goal and be motivated.”
- Scott Wooldridge
available and, with his experience, Wooldridge was a
valuable commodity.
“Cyprus was in one of the communities I
drove through around here, and I thought it was
nice," Wooldridge said. "When the job opened up, I
put my name in, and I'm definitely happy to get the
job."
Cyprus Principal Stephen Hess said
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CYPRUS FOOTBALL: Coach profile
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Wooldridge stood out with a vision for the program
and a track record of success. He wasn't too
concerned about how he would fare in Magna, a
traditionally tight community.
"He was from a small town, and I think he'll
be great here," Hess told the Salt Lake Tribune. "We
already have a lot of community members calling in
to offer their support to the program. People are
excited, and the kids are excited."
Wooldridge couldn’t wait to get started. Only
a few weeks after the announcement was made, he
began meeting with players, parents and potential
assistant coaches. In return, they started learning
about him.
"You just got to get in there and start
working, and get them to believe," Wooldridge said.
"We've got some big strong kids here, and I think we
can be successful."
Motivation leads to success and that’s always
been one of his trademarks. In high school, he
wrestled, and was also an undersized lineman that
became an all-state selection. He went on to play at
Wooldridge notes
Scott Wooldridge became the 21 st varsity football coach since Cyprus
opened in 1918. He replaced Brian Jacketta, who was here for three years.
* - HAD A 36-24 RECORD at Nampa (Idaho), won two league
titles and reached the 4A state championship game in 2007.
* - ALL-STATE offensive guard at Nampa High School.
* - RECENTLY MARRIED. His wife, Jennifer, is a teacher at
Taylorsville High.
Western Montana (Dillon) and Western Oregon
State (Monmouth).
He earned his degree in secondary education,
began coaching and has moved up the ranks to
where he is today. At Cyprus, he teaches world
history, U.S. history and psychology.
Like most people in his position, he’s also a
coach and a leader.
And now – he’s a husband again. Wooldridge
has two grown sons – Scott (24) and Chad (21) –
from a previous marriage and now helps with
Jennifer’s two children – Erik (9) and Taylor (6).
They’re all part of the puzzle in his new life,
which also has Cyprus High School blended into the
mix. It’s a welcomed addition.
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