Tanner Baumann, longtime Gooding native and football coach, is making a big leap from the sidelines to the school’s athletic director role. After coaching the Gooding High football team since 2022, Baumann is ready to broaden his impact on all sports programs.
Baumann told KMVT this week that becoming Athletic Director was always his goal. “I told myself if the position ever opened up, I was going to apply, and now here we are.” It’s a full-circle moment for the former Gooding student who returned to coach and teach at his alma mater.
From Coach to Leader of All Sports
Baumann’s coaching journey began years ago, rooted in the guidance he received from his own coaches and athletic directors growing up in Gooding. “I got into coaching because I had great coaches myself and AD’s when I was in high school,” he said. His motivation? To pass on those same experiences and opportunities to current students.
Transitioning from football coach to athletic director isn’t easy, though. Baumann admitted that giving up the headset “was hard.” But he’s confident this new role will allow him to make a bigger difference — beyond just one sport.
Coaching gave him valuable insights into working with kids, parents, and the community. “Every year I get a better feel the kids, parents, community, learn new ways to work with them and get people excited is something I’ve actually enjoyed,” Baumann said. Now, as AD, he wants to lift every athletic program at Gooding High and put them in a spot to thrive.
Building Pride and Putting Gooding on the Map
Baumann’s roots in Gooding run deep. His vision isn’t just about sports but about fostering local pride and community spirit. He mentioned former Gooding star Colston Loveland — a name that resonates in town and beyond — as an example of the kind of recognition Gooding athletes can achieve.
“It’s important people take pride in being from here,” Baumann said. With this fresh leadership, Gooding High hopes to build momentum not only on the field but across the school’s entire athletic landscape.
