Cuff 'em! High school game will pit coaching brothers
Deseret News 14Dec99 S2
By Jody Genessy: Deseret News prep editor

Rob Cuff is the head coach of two-time defending 5A champion Mountain View. He will be coaching opposite his younger brother, Ryan who is the new coach at Lone Peak. "When Ryan got the job at Lone Peak this spring, we circled Dec. 15 on all of our calendars," said Bob Cuff, father of the coaches. "And it really has become a family affair, even down to the grandmas and grandpas. This is a real treat."

Coaches Rob and Ryan have been busy trying to keep focused on this pre season game. This game is important for the upcoming region season not just to decide who will pay for dinner after the game. "We want to try to make it our team against his team, not him against me," Rob said. "But our kids know who the coaches are." "I think it will all be fun. It'll be a lot better than going for a region title against him."

Ryan, a 28-year-old rookie, credits Rob, a 32-year-old grizzled veteran, for helping him into the coaching world. Next to his dad, Rob is Ryan's "favorite coach." "It would be a little harder to play if we were in the same region," Ryan said. "It is a great opportunity for us to play a great team and to get ready for region. But this game's for the kids, not us."

Bob Cuff coached for 20 years and won three state titles at Richfield. Rob had aspirations to be a sports broadcaster before he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning he was involved coaching at Mountain View and then was a graduate assistant at BYU before he landed a full-time position with the Bruins.

Ryan was one of the state's top prep hoopsters. He played for BYU, Arizona State and Weber State. He played in Europe for a stint before becoming an assistant at Bountiful. He eventually took over for the retired Carl Ingersoll in Highland.

"Rob has become a tremendous student of the game," said Bob. "And Ryan is in a transition of going from a successful high school and college player to being a coach." "I never thought of them being coaches, but I was delighted to see these two get involved. It's very special for me. They are two outstanding young men."