By: Las Vegas Now Staff
Football season is fast approaching, and that means the Basic High School Wolves are working hard to make sure they’re on top of their game. This season, some big changes have been made.
Jeff Cahill, a 1992 Basic graduate, has just stepped up as head coach for the varsity team. He wants to make sure the teachings of former coaches are remembered, especially because one of those former coaches happens to be his father.
“We definitely are about tradition here at Basic and I grew up throughout that tradition…I’m really trying to emphasize keeping (former coaches’) teachings and the things that they did within the program and adding some new stuff with the new generation,” Cahill said.
SLIDESHOW: Basic Gears up for Football Season
His father Dan Cahill has been at Basic High School since it was built in 1972. He attended Las Vegas High School when he was young, then left to play at Miami University in Ohio. He also spent six years as the head coach for Boulder City High School’s team. Now, he’s happy to be retired, but still volunteers his time with the team.
“What a great group of kids. (It’s) fun to come out here every day. It’s just a joy, pure joy and then it’s doubled by being able to work with my son,” he said.
He’s also proud that his son has been able to take charge of the team in his own way, but doesn’t take a lot of credit for his son’s talents as a coach.
“I think (Jeff) probably gained more from Clif Frazier, John Wise and Richard Whitehead, who was his coach in high school. He picked a lot of the things up that he does from them. So I have to accredit them more with that part of his development. His personality, I’ll take credit for!”
With two generations of Basic High institutions, plus additional coaches for support, the Wolves Jeff Cahill is certain they’ll be the best in the valley this fall.
“We’re really excited about this season. We’re trying to take that next step here and turn us into a playoff team every year, and it’s something that we’re striving for – to be better.”
