Highland tabs Zach Sandtrom as its next football coach

Highland has hired Zach Sandstrom as its football coach, athletic director Steve Latuda said on Monday.

Sandstrom has been an assistant with the Huskies for two seasons, and is a weight and physical education teacher at the school. He replaces Paul Downing, who turned the program around in his two seasons at the helm.

Downing’s teams went 10-9 in two years. The program had won just four games in its previous five seasons.

Sandstrom was picked among a “a very strong pool of candidates,” Latuda said.

“He does a great job with the kids and has done wonders in the weight room,” Latuda said. “He is young and energetic and I know he will throw himself into this job.

“What stood out with Zach is his work ethic, his being a part of the staff that helped turn the program around, as well as his relationship with the kids.”

Sandstrom played football at Chadron State, graduating in 2014. He was a team captain as a senior.

Follow all of the movement this offseason in our coaching changes tracker.