Valencia hires Miyamura’s Shank as head coach

48-year-old said he needed a change

While Belen and Los Lunas reach simultaneous great heights in high school football, Valencia County’s third high school — which has been lagging far behind its two rivals — made a splash with its coaching hire.

Wes Shank, 48, was officially announced Monday morning as Valencia High School’s next coach.

Shank led Miyamura High in Gallup to playoff berths in three of the last four years, and compiled a 54-51 record in 10 varsity seasons with the Patriots.

“I still want to do something else (with my career),” Shank said. “New sights, new people.”

Shank has spent the last quarter century working and coaching in the Gallup area. He used to face Valencia regularly when the Jags and Miyamura were district partners.

“I really liked how they played,” Shank said. “It could be a hidden gem.”

Shank replaces Collin Justiss, a multiple state championshipwinning coach who had a tough time turning Valencia into a playoff team. The Jaguars were 4-25 in his three seasons.

Miyamura took a few years to flourish in football after the school opened in the late 2000s, but the Patriots went 30-16 in Shank’s last four years, including three playoff losses in the quarterfinals. Miyamura fell to Belen in last year’s postseason, capping a 9-3 season.

“Obviously, (this move) is kind of exciting, moving out of a comfort zone after 25 years, not knowing really what to expect,” said Shank, who played high school football in Texas. “You don’t want to get stagnant. I felt I needed a change.”

WEST MESA UPDATE: West Mesa athletic director Shonn Schroer told the Journal last week that the Mustangs will conduct interviews for their football coach opening this coming Friday.

Ron McMath announced his retirement after last season, which was a playoff season for the Mustangs.