James Thurman resigns at Las Vegas

Las Vegas High is looking for a new head football coach after James Thurman resigned last week.

Thurman was the coach for the Wildcats for six seasons, compiling a 40-23 record and making the playoffs every year. He’d spent the 14 previous seasons as an assistant at the school, and was on the staff for three state championship teams.

“There’s some stuff to be proud of,” Thurman said. “And we’re walking away with no regrets. It’s just time to try something else.”

Thurman said spending more time with his children, ages 9 and 12, is a priority. His wife, Sue Thurman, is the head volleyball coach at the College of Southern Nevada, leaving the two little down time, especially during the fall.

“My daughter made her fall volleyball team,” Thurman said. “Between the two of us, we got to about three or four games total.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and it’s just time for me to spend time with my kids and do that whole good deal.”

Las Vegas went 7-3 this season and finished second in the Northeast League before losing to Silverado in the Sunrise Region quarterfinals.

Thurman said he’s looking forward to having the time to finally cross some items off his bucket list. He’d like to see a football game at Notre Dame or catch the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry game. He said the family is finally planning to go on an Alaskan cruise this summer.

“We’ve talked about it forever, and never done it,” Thurman said.

“It just never turns off. You take a week or two off when your season’s over. By the time Christmas hits, you’re thinking about fund raising, you’re thinking about spring ball.”

Thurman hopes the school continues the tradition of hiring from within. Thurman was an assistant before taking over for Chris Faircloth, who had been an assistant under previous coach Kris Cinkovich.

“Whoever gets the job, they’ve got some talent coming back,” Thurman said. “I don’t think the cupboard’s bare.”

Quarterback Zach Matlock and leading rushers Elijah Hicks and DiQuan Brown all are juniors and should be back to lead the team next season.

“That’s what I’ll miss the most is the daily interactions with the kids and coaches and whatnot,” Thurman said. “Who knows, maybe two, three years from now I’ll be coaching freshman football.”