Brasses team up to win Idaho state Coaches of the Year award

SANDPOINT — It’s really a two-for-one deal for Sandpoint with cross country coaches Matt and Angie Brass, as the husband and wife have teamed up for nearly a decade stewarding the SHS cross country coaches.

As committed as they come, the Brasses have built one of the strongest 4A programs in the state recently, winning a pair of girls team state titles.

But when told he and wife Angie had won the Idaho High School Activities Association Cross Country Coaches of the Year Award, presented to just one coach from each sport in all classifications, Matt Brass said they were surprised.

“We’ve been at it nine years, and still feel fairly new,” said Brass, passing the credit over to his charges. “It’s validation of the quality of kids we work with. They’re buying into what we’re trying to do, and it’s brought a lot of exposure to the program.”

The Bulldogs have strong number annually, and it’s a testament to the popularity of the Brasses, both of whom are distance runners and enjoy training with the team.

Matt will add another hat as the new head track coach, ceding much of the distance work over to Angie. The two have helped groom a handful of elite runnters at the state level, many of whom are now running in college.

Sandpoint athletic director Kris Knowles sees first hand the work the duo put in on the program, and was happy to see their work recognized at the state level.

“It’s a great honor and a fitting tribute to the work that those guys do,” claimed Knowles. “They’ve unbelievable. We’re so lucky to have them at our school, affecting so many kids.”