Coach steps away after succesful stay with Wasilla football program

WASILLA — Jim Shetter has spent a good portion of his life on the football field.

He was a high school standout at East Anchorage, played four years at the college level and has been coaching ever since.

He’s had a firm grip on the game since he was a teenager, but has decided it is now time to step away.

Shetter, the head coach of the Wasilla High School football program for the last three years, has resigned from his position, he said Monday afternoon.

“The last three years of football at Wasilla has been really rewarding, but at the same time it’s been a huge challenge,” said Shetter, who cited heath and family reasons for the need to take a break from coaching. “Things on my plate were just starting to add up. It wasn’t an easy decision to make.”

After serving as an assistant at a handful of Anchorage schools, Shetter took the reigns of Warrior football prior to the 2006 season. During his three-year tenure, Shetter led the resurrection of the Wasilla football program. In 2007, Shetter was named coach of the year after leading the Warriors to the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and a win over rival Palmer in the Potato Bowl for the first time since 2001.

“He did a lot to bring the program to a higher level,” Wasilla assistant principal Dan Michael said. “He generated enthusiasm in the community, and he was big on the kids not just being football players, but good citizens.”

The Warriors scored victories on an off the field during Shetter’s time as head coach. In addition to scoring notable wins over rivals Colony and Palmer — somewhat of a rare feat for WHS in recent memory — Shetter also led efforts to solidify the booster club, find resources to purchase new equipment and get the football program involved in the community.

“The last three years were very rewarding, but it’s time to slow down a bit,” Shetter said.

Shetter has two young children who are becoming more involved in sports. His 8-year-old son will be starting football next year.

“I don’t see myself coaching (him next year), I see myself enjoying watching the game,” Shetter said. “watching my son develop his own love for the game.”

Shetter also suffered a badly broken ankle earlier this year and his rehabilitation with leave him on crunches for months. Shetter felt if he wasn’t able to go 100 percent on the practice field or during the team’s daily weight lifting sessions, it wouldn’t be the right thing for the team.

“I wouldn’t be fair to the program and school if I just gave half my efforts,” Shetter said.

Shetter is stepping away for now, but the longtime football man said he is not down with the game or coaching.

“Maybe down the line,” Shetter said.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.