THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Levelland High School Athletics

Jeff Bontrager can’t yet say whether his 31-year coaching career came to an end Friday when he announced his retirement from Levelland High School effective the end of the academic year. He does know, however, he’s going out on top if this is indeed the end. He’s earned 405 career wins and his past two Lobos teams have been some of his best. “The way I’ll say it initially and without all the details is I’m retiring from Texas public school education,” Bontrager said with a laugh when reached by phone. “I’m not ready for the rocking chair and mid-afternoon naps.” Levelland’s nine-year head coach reached the state’s retirement age for teachers earlier in the academic year and figures the time is as good as ever to try his hand in something new. Whether it’s related to basketball or not. The immediate ideas that come to mind are coaching out-of-state, at a private school or even a collegiate assistant job. He’s also open to trying his hand in something out of the educational field. “I want to be free to do that without also getting ready for another basketball season,” Bontrager said. “One of the things you learn is that there’s a lot to do in the spring and summer to get ready for the upcoming year. That’s why I wanted to give the Levelland guys, especially the guys returning that I have a strong relationship with, every advantage that I can.” Levelland recorded a 23-11 record this past season and fell a game shy of reaching the Class 4A Region I tournament after advancing to the state tournament the year prior. Seminole, which won the regional tournament this season, was the team to knock out the Lobos. Bontrager enjoyed other successes at Vernon, Crosbyton and Dallas Cistercian through his career. “Coach Bontrager has done an excellent job for Levelland,” superintendent Jeff Northern said. “He’s been very successful and built a very successful program. We’re extremely proud of what he’s done, accomplished and where the program is as a result of him leading the program.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Levelland High School Athletics

BONTRAGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM LEVELLAND BASKETBALL

MIKE GRAHAM

Lubbock Online | 4/6/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Levelland Athletics