Nov. 30, 2004: The Salt Lake Tribune

Holtry to Retire from West at End of Year
by Andrew Aragon
The Salt Lake Tribune

After 35 years at West High, Don Holtry is retiring at the end of the school year.

Holtry resigned as the Panthers' football coach last week, and he informed the school's administration that this will be his last year coaching wrestling and teaching at West.

Holtry, 61, was in his second stint as the Panthers' football coach. He coached from 1985-97 and compiled a 90-45 record. He returned in 2002 and had a 4-25 record in three seasons.

"I've loved sports - they've been my life," Holtry said. "I'll miss the kids. I had a hard time talking to them when I told them I wasn't coming back."

During the early and mid-1990s West was among the state's elite programs. The Panthers won the 4-A championship in 1992. The Panthers also had a 23-game winning streak, won four region titles and had a 30-game winning streak at home during the 1990s.

Holtry resigned because of health concerns in 1997, and West went south without him. The Panthers won 13 games during Holtry's four years away from the program, and West's players began attending other area high schools.

Holtry returned in 2002, partly to coach his youngest son, Scott Holtry, and to also try and keep kids in West's boundaries at the school. He was frustrated by his team's losses but said he doesn't regret giving the Panthers' coaching position a second try.

“Our record didn't show it, but I think we made some headway,” Holtry said. “I'm glad I came back.”