After finishing eighth at the Class 4A state tournament a year ago, the Loveland boys golf team enters the 2026 season with high expectations, and a new coaching staff.

Tyler Bishop has taken over to lead the Red Wolves, replacing longtime head coach Bill Stephens, who guided the program for 15 years. Bishop’s assistant coach is Tanner Comes.

Bishop’s list of accolades and accomplishments is long. He was an all-state player at Skyline High School and a Division II All-American at Colorado-Colorado Springs. He was also the RMAC golfer of the century before turning pro.

He has three professional victories and was a two-time U.S. Open sectional qualifier.

After a stint as an assistant at UCCS, he spent time coaching high school golf at Silver Creek, where he led the team to two state tournament appearances.

Following a little time away from golf, he heard of the opening at Loveland and went for it.

“Work kind of got in the way of me being able to give it all my effort,” Bishop said of coaching. “I took a couple of years off and I’ve missed it. To find a program that has this many kids — we have 21 kids out here and all 21 are extremely committed to getting better — I couldn’t dream of a better scenario. I’d say I got pretty blessed and lucky with these 21 kids.

“I went to Skyline, so I wouldn’t say Loveland was a direct rival, but I knew of them. And it’s tough to find a coaching opportunity because typically these programs have teachers or parents being coaches. I happened to stumble on this a few months ago, that they were recruiting a coach. They did a pretty thorough interview process. So, I’d say I just got, I’m going to say lucky, that they were looking and was fortunate they picked me.”

At the top of the group of 21 golfers Bishop has is senior Will Sallee. Sallee finished fourth at last year’s 4A state tournament, despite making a double-bogey on the final hole.

Bishop has already been impressed not only with Sallee’s play on the course, but his ability to lead and mentor the younger golfers on the team.

Sallee is excited to end his high school career with another top finish at state while also helping groom the players who will be the future of the program.

“I’m good friends with the freshmen coming in and I’ve been playing with them all summer,” Sallee said. “What I didn’t learn as a freshman is what I try and teach them, because there’s so many things that people don’t tell you about every part of golf. So, I want to make them as good as possible, and I want to spread all the knowledge that I have about the game. And I know the coaches will do the same thing.”

Sallee is one of two returning state qualifiers for the Red Wolves this season. The other is sophomore Easton Colley, who last year as a freshman tied for 41st at state.

His experience as a freshman both during the season and at the state tournament is something he believes will be a valuable asset going into his second year on varsity.

“It’s just awesome to play and be a great player and play with my teammates and have fun,” Colley said. “I try to do the best that I can. I learned (at state) nerves are good and just play as best as you can. Just go out there and just play good. You’ve just got to do as best you can.”

Although he didn’t qualify for state last season, another veteran for the Red Wolves this year is senior Wyatt Harlow, who was consistently in Loveland’s top four or five last fall.

Among the incoming freshmen, Asa Swetnam has the potential to be one of the team’s top golfers this season. An accomplished middle school golfer, he is eager to see what the high school experience is like.

“I think the competition is a lot different than middle school,” he said. “I’m kind of excited for high school season. I think we will be pretty good. My game is probably at its peak right now. I’m playing really, really nice. I’ve learned a lot from Will, our senior, and I hope to keep learning from him.”

While Sallee is aiming for an individual state championship, the Red Wolves haven’t ever won a state title as a team.

Sallee and coach Bishop believe with the number of golfers out this year and the experience of the returners, this season’s team could not only qualify but finish high in the standings at the 4A state tournament in Lone Tree in October.

“I want as many kids to try out as possible, and I hope everybody can get better and improve,” Sallee said. “If we do that, we’ll have a fantastic team. Everybody seems bought in and everybody wants to be part of the program, which is great.”

“We have a pretty young team that are all right there to be the next person up,” Bishop added. “So, we are very optimistic about the season.”

Mountain View Mountain Lions

Head coach: Joe Ernst (Fifth season)

Last year: Last in Longs Peak League

Returning state qualifiers: None

Others to watch: Sam Holt (Sr.), Damon Houser (Sr.), Easton West (Sr.), Cooper Nelson (So.), Wyatt Cooper (Fr.), Wesley Cooper (Fr.)

Coach’s outlook: “As always, the Mountain View High School golf program is looking to improve our position in the league and hopeful that we will have one or two golfers who finds their game at the right time to qualify for a spot at state. As a school with a small golf program we are happy with the small success we find throughout the season.”

Thompson Valley Eagles

Head coach: Erin Bender (Fifth season)

Last year: Third in Longs Peak League

Returning state qualifiers: None

Others to watch: Justin Porter, Rylan Adent

Coach’s outlook: “We are excited to have a young team with so much potential. The last two years we have qualified one player to state each year. This year we feel confident in qualifying an entire team (3-4 players).”

Berthoud Spartans

Head coach: David Hunn (Ninth season)

Last year: Second in the Longs Peak League, 10th at 4A state

Returning state qualifiers: Mason Sears (Jr.)

Others to watch: Michael Major (Sr.), Noa Barr (Sr.), Paxton Stark (Fr.)

Coach’s outlook: “The Spartans are looking forward to competing back in the Patriot League. Berthoud has a quality shot at placing in the top two to three in the league. We have a very competitive group of players that are ready to push each other and compete with anyone.”

Resurrection Christian Cougars

Head coach: Rick Meis (10th season)

Last year: First in Patriot League, fourth at 3A state

Returning state qualifiers: Levi McDowell (Jr.)

Others to watch: Bear Smith (Fr.), Wyatt Salazar (So.), Lincoln Goings (So.), Reid Nguyen (So.), Garrett Snyder (So.), James Cosner (So.), Cullen Corrigan (Jr.), Luke Thayer (Jr.), Austin Peters (Jr.), Marshall Knutson (Sr.), Sammy Greenfield (Sr.)

Coach’s outlook: “Defending Patriot League championships and a 3A state championship in Alamosa first week in October.”