Ryan Bishop, the coach who led Davis High School to the 2004 state football championship, took over as executive director of the Utah High School Activities Association on July 1. He is the seventh person to hold the position in the organization's history.

Bishop succeeds Rob Cuff, who retired July 31 after 17 years leading the UHSAA. The association governs athletics and activities for 162 member high schools across Utah, including Skyline High School in Millcreek.

The Millcreek Journal reported on Bishop's transition into the role Sept. 3. Bishop told the Journal he sees himself first as a teacher.

"I call myself an educator," Bishop said. "I've been an educator my entire career and this is my 29th year in education."

A Heber City native who graduated from Cedar High School, Bishop earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish education from Southern Utah University and later a master's in educational leadership. Both of his parents worked in education and coached.

Bishop spent 14 years teaching and coaching in Davis School District, where he led Davis High to its second state football title in 2004. He told the Journal that the coaching staff still gets together with players from that championship team.

He then served as a UHSAA assistant director from 2014 to 2017, overseeing baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, theatre and track and field while managing corporate sponsorships and coaches' education programs, according to the Daily Herald. He left to return to school administration, eventually becoming principal at Wasatch High School in Heber City, a position he held for about a decade.

Bishop said he missed the energy and relationships of a school building during his first UHSAA stint, but when Cuff announced his retirement, he saw a chance to support schools at the statewide level.

What changes for Skyline and Millcreek

The UHSAA sets eligibility rules, playoff brackets and classifications for all 162 member schools, including Skyline. Two policy shifts are already in motion under Bishop's watch.

The UHSAA Board of Trustees voted to revert to 16-team playoff brackets for all classifications, eliminating the 24-team brackets previously used for larger classifications, the Deseret News reported.

A statewide realignment covering the next two school years is scheduled for finalization in November. The new classification formula will incorporate a success factor alongside enrollment and socioeconomic status, with enrollment expected to account for roughly 75–80% of the score.

Bishop also told the Journal he plans to expand Unified Sports opportunities and work with schools on eligibility, participation and emerging sports.

Luke Rasmussen, UHSAA Board of Trustees chair and Ogden School District superintendent, praised Bishop's hiring in a March 27 announcement. Rasmussen said Bishop's experience as a championship coach, athletic director, principal and former assistant director gives him a comprehensive understanding of how activities affect students and school communities.

Skyline's fall sports season is underway. The November realignment will determine the Eagles' classification and playoff format for the next two years.