Impact
Records
Joe Newton
York High School
Impact Statement
“That’s the important thing in coaching—it isn’t the system you’ve got, it’s your relationship with your athletes.”
-Joe Newton
Biography
“Joe Newton has served as a model of commitment and excellence to coaches and athletes for nearly a half century,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Joe Newton as the first ever two-time winner of a National High School Coaches Association Boys’ Cross Country Coach of the Year award.”
Newton is widely recognized as the most accomplished prep cross country coach, and one of the most successful high school coaches of any sport in U.S. history. He began his career 60 years ago at York High in 1956, and his teams have won 28 Cross Country state championships and one Track & Field State Championship. York also finished second on 10 other occasions. Newton’s teams regularly hold more than 100 athletes on roster, as cross country has become a tradition at York. Coach Newton had 44 podium finishes in 57 years.
With dozens of coach of the year awards to his credit since 1954. In addition, Newton was the first high school coach to be selected as a coach for the US Men’s Track & Field Olympic Team in 1988. He served as the assistant manager for the marathon runners in Souel, South Korea.
Newton, known affectionately as the The Long Green Line, coached until 2016 and was a vital part of York and cross country history. As a runner himself, Newton was a decorated sprinter. He attended Northwestern University and graduated with his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in 1951 and 1952 respectively.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Ursuline Academy
Meyer coached her Alma Mater to multiple championships over her career.
Meyer coached her Alma Mater to multiple championships over her career.
Amie Meyer
Ursuline Academy
Impact Statement
Meyer coached her Alma Mater to multiple championships over her career.
Biography
“Amie Meyer has kept Ursuline Academy among the best teams in the state of Ohio for several years and this time was rewarded with a state championship,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor Coach Meyer as the NHSCA Coach of the Year.”
Meyer coached the Lions of Ursuline Academy to their third state championship in school history and the first since 1993 this past season. The state championship match against rival Cincinnati St. Ursula was a rematch of the 2001 title game won by St. Ursula, and the 2002 match was a classic. After losing to St. Ursula two more times since last year’s finale, the Lions won a grueling come-from-behind 1-hour, 36-minute match by a score of 11-15, 15-8, 15-13.
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Professional Achievements
Sisters High School
“My whole career I’ve been so fortunate to be around such positive kids and colleagues.”
-Mary Flande
“My whole career I’ve been so fortunate to be around such positive kids and colleagues.”
-Mary Flande
Mary Flande
Sisters High School
Impact Statement
“My whole career I’ve been so fortunate to be around such positive kids and colleagues.”
-Mary Flande
Biography
“Mary Flande is the perfect example of the thousands of coaches around this country that put their athletes before themselves,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor Mary Flande as the National High School Girls Golf Coach of the Year.”
Flande began her coaching career in 1978 in Nunapachuk, Alaska coaching boys and girls basketball. Over the years that career has evolved to include coaching experiences in track, volleyball and golf in the state of Oregon. Now also the athletic director at Sisters High, Flande adds this national coaching award to numerous conference and regional coaching awards in her career.
Flande continued to coach golf until 2011 at Sisters.
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Professional Achievements
University Liggett School
“My father spent 38 years cultivating the athletic programs at ULS.” -Doug Wood
“My father spent 38 years cultivating the athletic programs at ULS.” -Doug Wood
Bob Wood
University Liggett School
Impact Statement
“My father spent 38 years cultivating the athletic programs at ULS.” -Doug Wood
Biography
“The success accomplished by Bob Wood during his coaching career is almost difficult to believe,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA would like to congratulate Bob Wood on his retirement and honor him as the National High School Boys Tennis Coach of the Year.”
Wood, who retired this past year, enjoyed one of the most decorated coaching careers of all-time in any sport. His boys tennis teams tallied a total of 30 regional championships and 27 state titles during the span of a 37-year coaching career. As coach of the girl’s tennis team he added another 12 state championships to his coaching resume. In addition, he was also the Athletic Director and Freshman Adviser. Upon his retirement, the tennis center was named in honor of him.
Wood passed away February 16, 2019.
Photos
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Lakeridge High school
“Surround yourself with greatness and learn from people you can trust and will always have your back.” -Anni Miller
“Surround yourself with greatness and learn from people you can trust and will always have your back.” -Anni Miller
Anni Miller
Lakeridge High school
Impact Statement
“Surround yourself with greatness and learn from people you can trust and will always have your back.” -Anni Miller
Biography
Anni Miller has continued to demonstrate a commitment to high school athletics, while also being a leader in the sport of tennis outside the prep arena,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor Anni Miller as the National High School Girls Tennis Coach of the Year.”
Miller coached the Pacers to their second state championship in four years this past season, her 19th with Lakeridge High. The 2003 squad also won its 15th straight Three Rivers League title. Miller, who also has an outstanding reputation as a tennis teaching professional, has previously earned two international coach of the year honors and has been an Oregon Coach of the Year on four occasions.
Miller decided to step down from her coaching responsibilities in 2007 while leaving a 22 year legacy behind.
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Professional Achievements
Marlborough High School
Freeman has led his teams at Marlborough High to three state championships and over 300 wins in his 22 years as the girls’ soccer coach.
Freeman has led his teams at Marlborough High to three state championships and over 300 wins in his 22 years as the girls’ soccer coach.
Douglas Freeman
Marlborough High School
Impact Statement
Freeman has led his teams at Marlborough High to three state championships and over 300 wins in his 22 years as the girls’ soccer coach.
Biography
“Anytime that a coach leads his squad to over 300 wins in his career it is an accomplishment to be celebrated,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor Doug Freeman as the National High School Girls Soccer Coach of the Year.”
Freeman has led his teams at Marlborough High to three state championships and over 300 wins in his 22 years as the girls soccer coach. A member of his state’s hall of fame for soccer coaches, Freeman has led Marlborough to 12 league championships while compiling a winning percentage of 77-percent.
Freeman continued to coach and succeed at Marlborough until the completion of the 2009 season.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Villa Duchesne High School
Watson continues to be a monumentous force in field hockey in St. Louis and the state of Missouri over her 45 year career.
Watson continues to be a monumentous force in field hockey in St. Louis and the state of Missouri over her 45 year career.
Debby Watson
Villa Duchesne High School
Impact Statement
Watson continues to be a monumentous force in field hockey in St. Louis and the state of Missouri over her 45 year career.
Biography
“Debby Watson is clearly among the best high school field hockey coaches of all-time,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor her as the National High School Field Hockey Coach of the Year.”
Watson has coached field hockey at Villa Duchesne for the past thirty years and her career record now sits one victory shy of 500 wins at 499-69-17. Watson’s teams have collected eight state championships and have finished as runners-up another 17 times. When Villa Duchesne gets its first win next season, Watson will become only the fourth prep field hockey coach in U.S. history to get her 500th win. During her impressive career Watson has coached over 50 athletes that have gone on to play field hockey at NCAA Division 1 institutions.
Watson left Villa Duchesne in 2007. In 2009, Watson was honored at Field Day at Villa Duchesne.
Since her departure, Watson continued to coach field hockey at Barat Academy. She is also the President, a position she’s held since the inception of the school.
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Community Service
Watson helped establish the inaugural Midwest Field Hockey Association Tournament in 1978.
Records
Professional Achievements
Regis High School
Bauer has led Regis to twelve state titles between Cross Country and Track & Field over his impressive career.
Bauer has led Regis to twelve state titles between Cross Country and Track & Field over his impressive career.
Michael Bauer
Regis High School
Impact Statement
Bauer has led Regis to twelve state titles between Cross Country and Track & Field over his impressive career.
Biography
“Michael Bauer’s consistent commitment to his athletes and the sport of cross country is an example for young coaches,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Michael Bauer as the National High School Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year.”
Bauer has compiled an amazing cross country coaching pedigree across the past 27 years, including 25 district titles and nine state championships won by his girls’ teams as of 2003. Bauer has won numerous coach of the year awards at different levels of competition, including seven times being named Oregon Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Since 2003 Bauer has continued to build his legacy. In 2016 Bauer led Regis to their third Team State Championship with other titles won in 1979 and 2006, respectively. It is the 12th state title Bauer’s claimed between his track and field and cross country career over the last 42 years.
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Records
St. Paris Graham High School
“I’ve always told people that I have the greatest job in the world.” -Jeff Jordan
“I’ve always told people that I have the greatest job in the world.” -Jeff Jordan
Jeff Jordan
St. Paris Graham High School
Impact Statement
“I’ve always told people that I have the greatest job in the world.” -Jeff Jordan
Biography
“Jeff Jordan has built a program at St. Paris Graham that competes with the best in the nation year after year,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor Coach Jordan as the National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year.”
Jordan became the head coach in 2002 and coached the Graham Falcons to a third straight Division 2 Ohio State Tournament championship, this time by a margin of more than 100 points. Graham also won the state’s dual meet title in Division 2 in 2003. Nationally, Jordan’s squad was ranked among the elite in the nation from season’s start to finish, and placed third at the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament and second in the Walsh Iron Man Invitational. Jordan, who won four individual Ohio state championships of his own while wrestling for Graham in the early 1980’s, has turned his alma mater into one of the nation’s most respected programs.
Since his honoring in 2003, Jordan and his teams continued to rack in the accolades. Overall, Jordan coached 86 State Champions and 105 Medalists. Twenty-eight of his wrestlers went on to earn NCAA All American honors. As a team, the were deemed the National Champions in 2008, 2010 and 2015.
Jeff announced his retirement in 2018. His last duty as a coach was coaching his son, Rocky, to a state championship and the team to be champions over perennial powerhouse, St. Ed’s. What a great way to end an illustrious career.
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Articles
Videos
Professional Achievements
Moorestown High School
Weber’s coaching career has included stints with soccer, softball and lacrosse, but it is her boys swim team that has placed in the top two at the state meet on eight occasions, including six state championships
Weber’s coaching career has included stints with soccer, softball and lacrosse, but it is her boys swim team that has placed in the top two at the state meet on eight occasions, including six state championships
Virginia Weber
Moorestown High School
Impact Statement
Weber’s coaching career has included stints with soccer, softball and lacrosse, but it is her boys swim team that has placed in the top two at the state meet on eight occasions, including six state championships
Biography
“Virginia Weber has coached a diverse mix of sports and athletes over the years, and her success particularly with the sport of boys swimming is clearly worthy of the highest praise,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Virginia Weber as the National High School Boys Swim Coach of the Year.”
Weber’s coaching career has included stints with soccer, softball and lacrosse, but it is her boys swim team that has placed in the top two at the state meet on eight occasions, including six state championships. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Weber’s team will try and deliver her a 200th coaching victory next season, as her current record sits at 198-61, as of 2002.
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Records
Severna Park High School
“You coach for so many years and then kids come back and you see they’re successful and their lives are together – that’s what it is.” -Don Gregg
“You coach for so many years and then kids come back and you see they’re successful and their lives are together – that’s what it is.” -Don Gregg
Donald Gregg
Severna Park High School
Impact Statement
“You coach for so many years and then kids come back and you see they’re successful and their lives are together – that’s what it is.” -Don Gregg
Biography
“Donald Gregg’s success at Severna Park High School continues to serve as an example of what a coaching commitment means to athletes and an athletic program,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Donald Gregg as the National High School Boys Soccer Coach of the Year.”
Recognized as his state’s soccer coach of the year after leading Severna Park to its second state championship a year ago, Gregg now holds a career win percentage of 73-percent and over 300 coaching victories. Gregg’s teams have also won 14 conference championships and have finished as state runners-up on seven occasions.
Gregg became Maryland’s first public school coach to surpass 300 career boys soccer wins in 2002. He left his stamp on SP soccer when he hung up his cleats after the 2003 season. Once he relocated to Florida, he was the assistant at Wakulla High School.
In 2013 Gregg was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Ada High School
Kedy coached boys’ golf at Ada High for 24 years and has led his team to a pair of state championships and a pair of runner up finishes.
Kedy coached boys’ golf at Ada High for 24 years and has led his team to a pair of state championships and a pair of runner up finishes.
Mark Kedy
Ada High School
Impact Statement
Kedy coached boys’ golf at Ada High for 24 years and has led his team to a pair of state championships and a pair of runner up finishes.
Biography
“Mark Kedy has spent a career committed to the development of youth in the classroom and in the athletic arena,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Mark Kedy as the National High School Boys Golf Coach of the Year.”
Kedy has been the boys golf coach at Ada High for over 20 years and has led his team to a pair of state championships. A social studies teacher that has also coached football and boys basketball, Kedy has also been recognized as an Oklahoma Coach of the Year during a successful career in his home state.
Kedy retired from coaching in 2007.
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Philomath High School
“You couldn’t ask for anything more. When you raise that net up, it is over and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It is a great feeling.” -Dave Garvin
“You couldn’t ask for anything more. When you raise that net up, it is over and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It is a great feeling.” -Dave Garvin
Dave Garvin
Philomath High School
Impact Statement
“You couldn’t ask for anything more. When you raise that net up, it is over and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It is a great feeling.” -Dave Garvin
Biography
“Dave Garvin has put together the type of coaching career that most coaches dream about,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor Dave Garvin as the National High School Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.”
Garvin has twice been named the state of Oregon coach of the year and has led his teams to eight conference titles, six district championships and five state finals appearances. With two state titles under his belt at Philomath, Garvin now has a career coaching mark of 371-231.
Garvin went on to take over the Philomath Girls’ Basketball team from 2013 until he resigned in 2017.
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York High School
“That’s the important thing in coaching—it isn’t the system you’ve got, it’s your relationship with your athletes.”
-Joe Newton
“That’s the important thing in coaching—it isn’t the system you’ve got, it’s your relationship with your athletes.”
-Joe Newton
Joe Newton
York High School
Impact Statement
“That’s the important thing in coaching—it isn’t the system you’ve got, it’s your relationship with your athletes.”
-Joe Newton
Biography
“Joe Newton has served as a model of commitment and excellence to coaches and athletes for nearly a half century,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Joe Newton as the first ever two-time winner of a National High School Coaches Association Boys’ Cross Country Coach of the Year award.”
Newton is widely recognized as the most accomplished prep cross country coach, and one of the most successful high school coaches of any sport in U.S. history. He began his career 60 years ago at York High in 1956, and his teams have won 28 Cross Country state championships and one Track & Field State Championship. York also finished second on 10 other occasions. Newton’s teams regularly hold more than 100 athletes on roster, as cross country has become a tradition at York. Coach Newton had 44 podium finishes in 57 years.
With dozens of coach of the year awards to his credit since 1954. Newton now becomes the first coach to ever receive the NHSCA Coach of the Year honor for a second time. He was recognized in 2000 and 2003.
In addition, Newton was the first high school coach to be selected as a coach for the US Men’s Track & Field Olympic Team in 1988. He served as the assistant manager for the marathon runners in Souel, South Korea.
Newton, known affectionately as the The Long Green Line, coached until 2016 and was a vital part of York and cross country history. As a runner himself, Newton was a decorated sprinter. He attended Northwestern University and graduated with his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in 1951 and 1952 respectively.
Newton passed away at the age of 88 on December 9, 2017.
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Articles
Videos
Professional Achievements
Heritage High School
“We are going to try to develop good students, good players and good citizens.” -Chris Jones
“We are going to try to develop good students, good players and good citizens.” -Chris Jones
Chris Jones
Heritage High School
Impact Statement
“We are going to try to develop good students, good players and good citizens.” -Chris Jones
Biography
“Chris Jones has demonstrated success in his career across seasons, and now by winning a state championship at yet another school he has demonstrated that same success across schools and divisions,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Chris Jones as the National High School Football Coach of the Year.”
Jones coached Heritage High to the Group AA Division 4 state championship this past season, one year after taking his former school, Bath County High to the Group A Division 1 state title. Heritage’s 34-7 victory over Lafayette High in this year’s final game made Jones the first Virginia coach to ever complete the back-to-back feat at different schools.
After seven season, Jones resigned from Heritage in January of 2009. In the fall, he took over the head coaching position at Franklin County High School until 2014. During the 2015 season he was the assistant at Northside before taking the head job at Covington High School in Virginia, a position he currently holds.
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Clare High School
“He had a great attitude and you could tell early on that he was going to be successful in whatever he did.” -Don Sazima, past CMU coach
“He had a great attitude and you could tell early on that he was going to be successful in whatever he did.” -Don Sazima, past CMU coach
Rob Johnson
Clare High School
Impact Statement
“He had a great attitude and you could tell early on that he was going to be successful in whatever he did.” -Don Sazima, past CMU coach
Biography
“Rob Johnson has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to young athletes by coaching for over 30 years on the prep level,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Coach Johnson as the National High School Boys Track Coach of the Year.”
A member of the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Johnson has led Clare to a pair of top-two state finishes in the past five seasons, including the 2000 Division 3 state championship. He holds a career dual-meet win percentage of 90-percent. Johnson’s teams have also won 17 regional titles and 19 conference championships as of 2002.
As an athlete Johnson earned All-American honors in 1969. He also led the Chippewas to the IIAC championship in 1969.
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Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Pioneer High School
“I’ve always said, if they are willing to put in the work, I’m willing to take the credit.” -Denny Hill
“I’ve always said, if they are willing to put in the work, I’m willing to take the credit.” -Denny Hill
Dennis Hill
Pioneer High School
Impact Statement
“I’ve always said, if they are willing to put in the work, I’m willing to take the credit.” -Denny Hill
Biography
Hill, a member of the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, has led the Pioneer boys swim team to 12 state titles and the girls to 10 such championships when honored by the NHSCA. His girls’ squads have posted a dual-meet record of 338-31-2 for an amazing win percentage of 91-percent. In the past season the Pioneer girl’s team finished the season by being ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Since being named the Coach of the Year in 2003, Hill continued to lead Pioneer and leaves quite a legacy. After 45 years Hill retired all together from coaching. He finished his career with 31 State Championships, 15 with the Boys and 16 with the Girls. He also coached the boys to 16 runner up finishes and the girls to 8 2nd place finishes.
In February of 2013, Hill won his 1,000 victory.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Bartow High School
Rutenbar continues to add to his coaching resume at the college level after 28 years at Bartow High School.
Rutenbar continues to add to his coaching resume at the college level after 28 years at Bartow High School.
Glenn Rutenbar
Bartow High School
Impact Statement
Rutenbar continues to add to his coaching resume at the college level after 28 years at Bartow High School.
Biography
It is always special when a coach starts a new program and remains committed to its success,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Glenn Rutenbar as the National High School Softball Coach of the Year.”
Rutenbar has coached the Bartow High Yellow Jackets since the school began its softball program in 1987. In that span Bartow has won four state championships, 12 district titles and Rutenbar has tallied a coaching record of 453-87-1, as of receiving this honor. This year’s Rutenbar-coached Bartow team defended its Class 3A 2002 state championship season by posting an impressive 9-0 victory in the state final game against Navarro High. After finishing the season outscoring its opposition by a total of 267-22, Bartow (32-0-1) was also ranked No. 1 in the United States in multiple end-of-season prep softball polls. Rutenbar led the Yellow Jackets to the State’s Final Four 16 times. The Yellow Jackets had a streak of 10 Championships appearances from 1997-2006.
After 28 season, Rutenbar hung up his cleats at the conclusion of the 2014 season, but didn’t stay away from the diamond long. He began coaching at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL but went back to Bartow and is still coaching the Yellow Jackets.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Canyon High School
“It’s not just about the wins and losses, but it’s about the big picture of what we can do to help students”
-Joe Lombard
“It’s not just about the wins and losses, but it’s about the big picture of what we can do to help students”
-Joe Lombard
Joe Lombard
Canyon High School
Impact Statement
“It’s not just about the wins and losses, but it’s about the big picture of what we can do to help students”
-Joe Lombard
Biography
“Joe Lombard continues to reach the highest levels of excellence in high school coaching,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor him as the National High School Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.”
Lombard saw his Canyon Lady Eagles collect for him a 10th state girls’ basketball title this past season (2003). The state championship is yet another reward in a remarkable run over the past 15 years that has seen Lombard’s teams compile a record of 844-77. During those same 15 years, the Lady Eagles have won 15 consecutive district titles and put together a 164-2 record in district play.
Lombard is still actively coaching at Canyon and is assisted by his son Tate. Lombard and his Lady Eagles have now won 19 State Championships. He boasts a 1,344-124 career record, with a 91.6 winning percentage, which is second in the NFHS record book.
Lombard was twice recognized in Sports Illustrated‘s “Faces in the Crowd.”
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Articles
Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Eaton High School
“I just can’t think of anything I’d rather do than go out and coach baseball.” -Jim Danley
“I just can’t think of anything I’d rather do than go out and coach baseball.” -Jim Danley
Jim Danley
Eaton High School
Impact Statement
“I just can’t think of anything I’d rather do than go out and coach baseball.” -Jim Danley
Biography
Jim Danley’s coaching record speaks for itself, and this year’s state championship for his Eaton High Reds is another example of what continued dedication can lead to,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “We are proud to honor Jim Danley as the National High School Baseball Coach of the Year.”
Danley, who has coached the Reds of Eaton High for over 30 years, managed his team to its fifth state championship this season. And there was plenty of drama in doing so. Eaton High defeated returning champion La Junta High 3-2 in a 15-inning classic that lasted four hours and 32 minutes. The game set numerous Colorado state records, including the longest state title game ever played. Along with the five state championships, Danley, whose career record is 506-133-1, has also led the Reds to six state runner-up finishes and 24 conference championships. This year’s Class 3A state championship team finished 22-2 under Danley, and it was the Reds fourth consecutive state finals appearance in a row. Formerly named the state of Colorado coach of the year, now Danley can add the NHSCA National Coach of the Year honor to his impressive coaching resume.
In 2015, Danley and the Reds won their 11th State Championship. Danley departed from Eaton later in 2015 after amassing a career record of 807-162-2. In his 37 years as the coach, the Reds have impressively won either a league, regional or state championship.
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