Daxton Laughter has joined the West Field High School boys basketball coaching staff, becoming the third former player of Mike Russell to join the program's coaching ranks. Laughter joins former players Dallin Laird and Kane King on the staff for the upcoming season, according to a November 13 report.
Laughter, who was the 2025-26 Region 5 Defensive Player of the Year and a Standard-Examiner All-Area recipient, is transitioning into coaching one year after his high school graduation. He joins a coaching staff that includes Dallin Laird, an Ogden 2008 graduate, and Kane King, a 2023 Syracuse graduate.
Russell, the son of late Ogden basketball coaching legend Phil Russell, is entering his third year as the head boys basketball coach at West Field. Russell noted that the addition of former players like Laughter provides a connection to the players, stating that they are loyal and love the kids.
Laughter, who works in sales and with the Intermountain T-Shirt Company of Farr West, said the opportunity to coach was something he would not have passed up. He noted that his recent experience playing against many of the current roster members will help him relate to the players and assist them on the court.
Kane King, currently a site supervisor for a carpeting company and an overnight electrician, joined the West Field staff in 2024. King said that Russell brought a specific culture and standards to the programs he has coached.
The West Field boys basketball team is preparing for its season opener on Nov. 20 at Davis High. The team is entering a period of potential change following upcoming UHSAA realignment, which is slated for release next month.
The roster for West Field features returning forward Drew Faddis and senior swingman Maddox Purser as the team seeks its first playoff win since moving up to 5A Region 5.
