As New Plymouth High School’s football team prepares for the Boise Dream Football Classic, they do so under the passionate and dedicated leadership of Coach Tony Cade. With a career shaped by influential mentors and a deep love for the game, Cade is committed to building a program that goes beyond winning, focusing on character, teamwork, and personal growth.
A Journey Fueled by Football and Mentorship
Coach Tony Cade’s journey into coaching began with the profound impact football had on his own life. From a young age, the sport provided him with discipline, life lessons, and the guidance of coaches who served as mentors. These experiences instilled in Cade a strong desire to give back and help shape the next generation of young men.
"I got into coaching because of the impact football had on me as a young man and throughout my college years," Cade shares. "The opportunity to play under great coaches who mentored me and my teammates was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Those coaches didn’t just teach me the game—they taught me life lessons that have stayed with me."
Cade’s passion for football is more than just a love for the sport; it’s a commitment to instilling values, discipline, and resilience in his players. "Football, to me, is a reflection of life’s ups and downs. How you respond to both the good and the bad can shape who you are, not just as a player but as a person," he explains. "I’m passionate about this game, and while some may see that passion as aggression, to me, it’s all about the drive to be better than you were yesterday."
Over the years, Cade has been influenced by many great coaches, including his first Little League coach, Coach Smith in Kentucky, and mentors like Coach Lewis at Central Hardin High School and Coach Reed at Murray State University. However, it was Coach Stan Buck at Blackfoot High School in Idaho who had the most profound impact on Cade’s coaching career. "He gave me my first coaching opportunity in 2002 and taught me the importance of game preparation, building a winning culture, and fostering a sense of brotherhood among players," Cade recalls. "I am forever grateful to Coach Buck and the entire staff at Blackfoot for teaching me more than just the game; they taught me the values that I now try to instill in my players."
Building a Culture of Greatness at New Plymouth
This season marks Cade’s second year as the head coach at New Plymouth High School. Before joining New Plymouth, he served as the head coach at American Falls High School for two years, with additional coaching stints at Burley High School, Hillcrest High School, and a long tenure as an assistant coach at Blackfoot High School. Cade’s extensive experience has prepared him to take on the challenge of revitalizing the New Plymouth football program.
"Many of our team goals have revolved around bringing a culture of greatness back to the program," Cade explains. "When I took over last year, I felt we had a long way to go in terms of building a strong team culture. We always had, and still have, great individual athletes, but putting it all together as a cohesive unit was the challenge."
In his first year as head coach, Cade and his team made significant strides in building a positive and supportive environment. "The players set goals for the team as a whole, and we accomplished about three-quarters of them—even though those goals were not necessarily focused on the win-loss record," he shares.
As they enter year two, Cade’s focus remains on achieving the final quarter of those goals and continuing to foster a culture where every player feels valued and supported. "We always keep our focus on the game at hand and control what we can control. Building each other up and celebrating everyone’s successes have been some of our early goals this season," Cade says. "We've already started to see the fruits of this labor in a short amount of time, including gaining our community's support and giving them something to be proud of."
Redefining Success in High School Football
For Coach Cade, success on the football field is about more than just winning games. With a diverse coaching background that includes both championship victories and challenging seasons, Cade understands that true success lies in the lessons learned and the values instilled in his players.
"Throughout my football journey, I’ve seen both ends of the spectrum," Cade reflects. "I’ve played on a winning college football team in the OVC and coached a high school team to a 0-9 record. I’ve also been part of four state championship teams and a runner-up. Through it all, one thing remains constant: I value competition and love to win. More accurately, I really, really hate to lose."
However, Cade is quick to emphasize that winning is not the sole focus of his coaching philosophy. "In our program, I rarely focus on winning just for the sake of winning," he explains. "Instead, we focus on advocating for all athletes, ensuring they feel valued, and making memories in all they do."
Cade’s approach to success includes four key goals: advocating for all athletes, ensuring they have fun, teaching them about competition, and deepening their understanding of the sport. "Would it be great for all our teams to win every game? Absolutely! But we don’t need to list that as our goal," Cade says. "Our coaches and players are naturally driven to win because that’s what competitors do. The problem arises when we value the result of winning over the process of learning how to win."
Excitement for the Boise Dream Football Classic
For any high school football program in Idaho, the opportunity to play at Albertsons Stadium—home of the Boise State Broncos—is a dream come true. For the players and coaches at New Plymouth, this chance to step onto the iconic blue turf is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"Boise State University, with its legendary blue turf, is a symbol of pride in our state," Cade says with excitement. "Our players are eagerly looking forward to their chance to step onto the blue turf at BSU on September 7th. This is an opportunity they will cherish and speak about for years to come."
For a team from a small rural town, playing at Boise State is not just about the game—it’s about the memories, the pride, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with competing at such a prestigious venue. "We are deeply grateful to the Dream Football Classic for providing this incredible opportunity—one that will create lasting memories for our players and our community," Cade shares.
Looking Ahead
As New Plymouth’s football team prepares for the Boise Dream Football Classic, Coach Tony Cade’s leadership is guiding them with a focus on character, teamwork, and resilience. With a commitment to building a positive culture and instilling lifelong values in his players, Cade is creating a program that is about much more than football.
For Coach Cade and Grim Nation, the upcoming season is an opportunity to continue building a legacy of greatness, both on and off the field. As they take on Fruitland at Albertsons Stadium, they do so with pride, passion, and a deep sense of community.
For more information about the Dream Football Classic and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.dreamfootballclassic.com/highschool
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