Wyoming Indian Chiefs Look For Revival Under New Coach

The fifth stop on the WyoPreps Preseason Football Tour was in Ethete earlier this week to visit the Wyoming Indian Chiefs. The program won two games last season, but it has also experienced two winless seasons in the past four years. Wyoming Indian finished the 2024 season at 2-6 overall but went 0-5 in the Class 1A 9-man West Conference. They won two of their first three games last year, but lost their last five. A new season brings a new head coach, in James Cole, and a new direction and philosophy for the Chiefs. He inherits a veteran team that returns five starters on each side of the ball.

WYOPREPS PREVIEW THE 2025 WYOMING INDIAN CHIEFS

WyoPreps does not have many stats from last year for Wyoming Indian. They were rated No. 6 in passing offense in the 9-man division at 92 yards per game based on what was reported. They had one passing TD and nine interceptions in the game statistics submitted. On defense, the Chiefs were ranked No. 4 against the pass and allowed 85 yards per game, according to reported statistics. They allowed 8 TD passes and had no interceptions on defense. In 9-man statistics, Wyoming Indian did not have any other team stats in the top 10 or individual players in the top 10 of a category. Their two wins in 2024 were against Guernsey-Sunrise (26-12) and the Thermopolis JV (24-22). For the season last fall, the Chiefs scored 9.5 and allowed 47.6 points per game.

The new season provides a fresh start for Wyoming Indian, but a new coach adds renewed interest and excitement. WyoPreps had an opportunity to visit with LaDainian Brown, Ano Brown, and Ben Neido, who will play key roles for the Chiefs this fall. They touched on the new approach Coach Cole is taking, how practice is going, what they see at the skill positions and along the lines of scrimmage, and more.

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Coach Cole discussed taking over the program, finding the right approach, what he wants to see in the new system, some key personnel, his outlook on 9-man as a new coach, and more.

After a scrimmage against Lusk in Glenrock, the Chiefs will open the 2025 season at home against Saratoga on Thursday, Sept. 4.