NOTES: Gerber returns to Durango to take over football program

Matt Gerber gained a lasting appreciation for Durango High School when he served as an assistant football coach for the Trailblazers from 1998 to 2005.

So when Durango’s head coaching position opened over the winter, Gerber set his sights on returning. Durango announced Friday it had hired Gerber as its coach.

“It’s a school I’ve always enjoyed and had a lot of respect for,” Gerber said. “I wanted to get back there some day, and the opportunity arose.”

Gerber replaces Gary Maki, who resigned after going 21-21 in four seasons.

Gerber went 24-30 as head coach at Green Valley from 2006 to 2010 before serving as Silverado’s offensive coordinator last season.

Gerber said he plans to bring a run-based offense to Durango.

"We have a really loaded backfield with some talent and returners, and we want to utilize that strength," he said. "We want to run the ball and have an attacking defense."

Also, a Coronado spokesperson said the Cougars have promoted assistant Brad Talich to head coach in football.

Virgin Valley athletic director Keven Hess said the Bulldogs hired Chris Sawyers as their football coach and Sean Fitzsimons as their boys basketball coach.

Sawyers, a former Las Vegas High assistant, replaces Kirk Hafen, who resigned after 21 years.

Fitzsimons will move over on the bench after working as an assistant under Rich Bohne, who resigned after four seasons.

WRESTLING AWARDS — Spring Valley senior Ray Waters was named Nevada Wrestler of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Waters went 54-0 with 44 pins on his way to the 160-pound Class 4A state title this season.

Green Valley’s Jon Ferry was named Nevada Coach of the Year after guiding the Gators to their first team state title. Nevada Assistant Coach of the Year went to Legacy’s Ed Brents.