Powell High School girls’ wrestling coach David Holland has resigned from the position following just one season at the helm, sending the Panthers searching for a new coach heading into the summer.

Holland announced the resignation as a decision to spend more time with his family; he also resigned from his wrestling coach position at the middle school as well as being a guide runner for the PHS cross country team.

The district is searching for a new head coach for the growing girls’ wrestling program, with a new coach likely to be hired this summer.

“I’ve thought about it the last couple of years, just haven’t really committed to it,” Holland said. “Every year I kept missing more and more events … After a while it just kind of hits you as a parent. Like ‘hey, I’m there for everybody else’s kids, when am I going to be there for my kids.’”

Holland said he has been coaching for 15 years, but has also been married for 10 years, while also having children who are are 9 and 7 years old and are becoming more involved in activities.

“At times it made me question myself as a parent like ‘what am I doing here,’” Holland said.

He said he felt like the girls’ program had a successful first season under his leadership. The Panthers won one tournament, placed at several others while having two runners up at the state tournament in Eleasah Horsley and Allison LeBlanc along with another state placer and Ron Thon champion Nalani Jordan.

“We accomplished a lot this year,” Holland said. “I think we set the tone for what we want to do as a program in Powell.”

He took his time to make the decision over the past several months, talking with other coaches within the program as well as teachers to gather opinions on the matter.

“My coworkers from coaches to teachers have told me to be there for your kids … I had hard discussions with the coaches and my wife. I didn’t want rumors to get out there, just wanted to pick their brains and see what they thought,” Holland said. “I took my time and made the decision … I decided it’s either now or never. If I didn’t get out now then I don’t think I ever will.”

Holland said that he wanted to make the announcement as soon as possible so that the district would have enough time to find a new coach and make the next hiring with plenty of time before next season.

With him taking a step back from coaching at the school level, Holland said that he will still be involved with the Post 26 Big Horn Basin Boxing Club when it allows, but he’s built up enough trust in his assistants the past several years to where he will not need to help at every event.

He said while he’s stepping down, as time allows he will still volunteer to help when he can and still be a part of Powell wrestling.

“I’m still going to be part of the Powell wrestling family, just in a different spotlight,” Holland said. “I told the girls don’t be surprised if I come in the room and help them out.”

Holland said he and his family will remain in Powell — he works for the school district — and that returning to coaching is not ultimately out of his future should it allow him to return, but for now he wants to focus on being a dad first.

“That’s some of the advice that I got from some of my colleagues was wishing they had spent more time with their families,” Holland said. “All I’ve ever known is coaching. I’m kind of excited to take a step back and focus on my family. I want to be a dad first and that’s something I’ve never done.”