<\/p>\n
Leo Garand always knew he wanted to lead a high school athletic program, and Ignacio High School came calling at the perfect time.<\/p>\n
Garand accepted a position on July 12 as the next athletic director and assistant principal of Ignacio High School, and will start full time on Aug. 7.<\/p>\n
As a result of his new position, Garand also announced that he will step down from his position as head wrestling coach at Durango High School, effective immediately.<\/p>\n
Garand took over the wrestling program in July 2015. He said he was hopeful to one day pursue an administrative job as an athletic director, but it came sooner than anticipated.<\/p>\n
He had just finished his fifth summer traveling with the Durango Youth Wrestling program and was preparing for another winter in charge of the Demons when the opportunity arose.<\/p>\n
\u201cStepping down from DHS wrestling was a very tough decision, and I couldn\u2019t make everything work,\u201d Garand said. \u201cWe had a really successful summer trip with 23 kids going to wrestling camp; there\u2019s going to be a really strong group of freshmen coming in who started as early as the age of 5. I am grateful for Melanie (Taylor) and Rocco (Fuschetto) giving me a chance. I am super grateful for the relationships I built, and all of those kids are really special. It was a really hard decision to make, but I chose to focus on my professional career for me and my family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garand has an extensive 38-year coaching career, which dates back to 1983, when he got his start coaching wrestling in California. He also holds a master\u2019s degree in athletic administration. He said he\u2019s ready to make the jump from a head coach to leading an athletic program.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve coached seven different sports, both boys and girls, and am really open to working with the coaching staff, mentoring some younger coaches and just bringing some of that experience as a coach,\u201d Garand said. \u201cI know I\u2019ve got big shoes to fill, as Rocky (Cundiff) did a great job. I think it\u2019ll take me a year or so to find my groove, but I\u2019m excited and am hopeful to build on some successful programs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garand said the volleyball program at Ignacio will add an incoming assistant coach, but he expects the coaching staffs at Ignacio Middle School and IHS to remain largely unchanged.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Year 1, I am mostly looking to getting a handle for the job, doing it well, and from whom I\u2019ve spoken to, it takes around three years to become comfortable in the job, and I know I\u2019m not going to be perfect, but I\u2019m ready to hit the ground running and do as well as I can,\u201d Garand said.<\/p>\n
In addition to his time at DHS, Garand led the Dolores High and Middle school wrestling programs for three seasons. He also coached at Escalante and Miller Middle schools.<\/p>\n
Garand cited former Durango High athletic director Dave Preszler and Dolores High activities director Jimmy Langford as mentors.<\/p>\n