Powell Begins its Search for a New Football Coach

The 2019 Class 3A runner-up Powell Panthers are now seeking a new head football coach after Aaron Papich recently stepped down.

The news of the departure was confirmed to WyoPreps by email from Powell Athletic Director Scott McKenzie on Wednesday.

Papich was 9-12 in two seasons as the Panthers’ head coach. That included a 7-5 mark last fall when Powell put together a late-season surge and advanced to the Class 3A State Championship game in Laramie. The Panthers fell to Star Valley in that contest, 49-13.

McKenzie said, “We are bummed to lose him and there is a community out there that is going to get a great young family.”

The reason given for Papich stepping down was the lack of teaching positions available in the district. McKenzie cited the fact that Coach Papich and his wife both want to be teachers and they don't have any openings.

Powell is the fourth school looking for a new head coach and third in Class 3A. They join Green River, Riverton, and Midwest from Class 1A-6 man.

Papich was also named the North Team head coach in the 2020 Wyoming Shrine Bowl All-Star football game that is set to take place on June 13 in Casper. Shrine Bowl of Wyoming Executive Director Frank Selby told WyoPreps by email on Wednesday that Coach Papich will be serving as the North head coach.