In early February, then-Miners football head coach Josh Montzingo informed Park City High School he would be resigning his posts with the team and school.
Montzingo had led the Miners into battle for a decade, winning 82 games and four region championships.
Montzingo’s departure left Park City Principal Caleb Fine and Athletic Director Jamie Sheetz scrambling for a new coach with the prospects that other coaches and players could potentially follow Montzingo to his new role at Brighton High, just a 35-minute drive down Parley’s Canyon.
After a two-month search to find the team’s next leader, Fine and Sheetz announced Friday morning that they’d selected Montzingo’s former lines coach Dennis Cunningham.
Cunningham has been with the Miners for four seasons. He played offensive line back in the day at Utah State.
“Because he has been an integral part of (Park City High School) football and athletics for the past four seasons, he is uniquely positioned to step into this role immediately and maintain the momentum our athletes have built,” Fine said. “His passion for the game is matched only by his dedication to the character development of our students.”
Cunningham formally introduced himself to players and parents Monday night at the school. He detailed his excitement in taking over the team and his plans for the future.
“I’m super stoked about the opportunity,” Cunningham said. “Josh did such a great job of building a foundation and really establishing Park City football, and I’m excited about building on that foundation.”
Montzingo said he will be cheering on Cunningham and Park City from afar.
“So excited for Dennis and the opportunity for him to lead the team,” Montzingo said. “I look forward to watching where he takes the program.”
Cunningham said he and Montzingo are different, so while some things will remain the same, others will change. One thing that will remain is the high expectation Montzingo set for the team: win the region and playoff games.
Cunningham said some things that will change slightly are the playbook and coaching staff. He wants to be a coach that comes in and simplifies some of the operations. Cunningham hasn’t filled out the program’s entire staff yet but is planning on adding quarterbacks and special teams coaches.
“We’re going to focus in on being great at what we’re going to be great at,” Cunningham said. “We’re going to be fast, fit and physical.”
Cunningham said the work toward the 2026 season began with Monday’s meeting. The Miners typically open the season in mid-August against rival Wasatch, and the new head ball coach knows what it takes to prepare properly in the offseason.
“We’ve got eight weeks between now and the end of school, and seven weeks between then and our first practice,” Cunningham said. “And we’re going to make sure we take advantage of those eight and seven weeks to get better by lifting, working our speed and by getting together with our quarterbacks and receivers.”
Cunningham said he loves that some of his players play other spring sports at the school. He said they can commit to the fall season by joining the team’s lifts this spring.
The reception for Cunningham, a longtime Parkite, by players, parents and other locals has been positive so far. Off the field, he plans on getting out and promoting the team in the community.
“I’m really happy with the fact that we have faces the kids recognize,” said Park City head track and field coach Dave Yocum, who works with the football team on speed and conditioning training. “He gives us a very veteran coach; he understands who he has for players and will allow us to continue to go forward.”
Yocum continued, “My concern was if they brought in somebody completely new who didn’t know who they had there could be a serious dropoff.”
Cunningham decided about 10 years ago he wanted to spend his semi-retirement coaching football. He flipped business around for most of his career and loves the impact he can have on young men. He uses some of the same communication and leadership skills he learned in years past.
As the new head coach, Cunningham said he hopes to help push the Miners toward their first state title. He knows it will take a well-rounded effort to get there from players, coaches and parents.
“Our goal is to win the state title this coming year,” Cunningham said. “If that happens, it won’t be because of me; it’ll be because the coaching staff and kids have bought into our culture and program, and they’re putting in the work.”