After 17 years as the Falcons’ leader, Vallivue High football coach Layne Coffin has submitted his resignation letter. At 61, Coffin intends to complete the school year before relocating to Eugene, Oregon, to be with his children and grandchildren. Two of his children are already living there, and the third is planning to join them soon.
“It was just the right time. It’s time to go,” Coffin said. “There was no big reason. I’ve been here a long time. They’ve been good to me. It’s just time for some change in my life.
“My middle daughter is moving over there in about two weeks, and I have three granddaughters and another grandbaby on the way.”
Having coached high school football for several years, Layne Coffin has retired with a career record of 124-95 (.566) as a head coach. He won two state championships at Century High in Pocatello in 2000 and 2001. During his 17-year tenure at Vallivue, he led the Falcons to eight playoff appearances and maintained a 90-77 (.539) record. The team qualified for the playoffs in the past five years. The Falcons’ most successful season was in 2018, where they reached the state semifinals for the first time since 2000.
“When you think of Vallivue High School football, you think of Layne Coffin and the success he’s had there,” Vallivue Athletic Director Tony Brulotte said. “Not only in building a winning program, but building quality kids that come out of the program and quality people.”
Layne Coffin started his teaching and coaching career later than most due to a cancer diagnosis at 23 years old. After undergoing surgery to remove a 1.5-pound growth from his stomach cavity, he enrolled at Idaho State and completed his teaching degree in 1989, ten years after graduating from Pocatello High.
Coffin began his coaching journey at Marsh Valley in 1998 and was the first coach to introduce the double-wing offense to Idaho. He brought this exotic offense to Century when it opened in 1999 and won consecutive titles in the program’s second and third years.
Layne Coffin cherishes several memories, including coaching his son, Jordon Coffin, who was named the 2001 4A All-Idaho Player of the Year. He also values the relationships he has formed with other coaches throughout his coaching career.
“I just loved coaching football,” Coffin said. “I’ve been pretty fortunate, obviously. Every coach wants to win every game, but that’s not realistic. I’m grateful to Vallivue for giving me the chance.”
This winter, there have been ten coaching changes out of the twenty schools in the 5A and 4A Southern Idaho Conference, including Layne Coffin’s resignation. As of now, the only two open positions are at Eagle and Vallivue.