Name: Greg Critchett
School: Class 5A Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village), ranked No. 2 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll
Record: 1-0 in 2005; 20-6 overall at Cherry Creek, including 3-2 in playoffs
Coaching résumé: Assistant line coach at Pueblo Centennial, 1992; assistant at New Mexico Highlands from 1993-2000, head coach 2001-02, 4-17 record; head coach at Cherry Creek 2003-present.
Life lines: Age 35, native of Pueblo; graduate of Pueblo Centennial High School, 1988, and Adams State (liberal arts with science and coaching minors), 1992. Earned master’s degree in human performance and sports (physical education), New Mexico Highlands, 1998.
Back in his day: Offensive lineman at Pueblo Centennial, member of Bulldogs’ 3A (in a four-class system) state title team in 1987; four-year starter at guard and tackle at Adams State.
What he has done lately: “It had a really neat atmosphere,” Critchett said of last week’s 31-27 victory against Arvada West, then ranked No. 4.
There was a big crowd for the teams’ opener, especially for a Thursday night, and the game took more than three hours to complete.
Critchett was prepared for Arvada West with a deliberate passing scheme that worked, and he inspired enough defense to withstand what obviously is one of Colorado’s best-oiled machines.
As the first outsider to lead Cherry Creek football since its inception in 1956, Critchett seems to have settled in comfortably to head the state’s most-storied big-school program.
“Knowing you have to come in and play well, knowing the type of opponent and knowing (the Wildcats) had a good team, ultimately you just want your team to play hard,” Critchett said.
Note: The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week, in its 10th year, will have 10 honorees in the regular season. Coaches will be the Broncos’ guests at a home game and receive a coach-of-the-week cap, a certificate from the NFL endorsed by coach Mike Shanahan and commissioner Paul Tagliabue, an autographed photo of Shanahan and a trophy. In addition, NFL Charities will present $1,000 to the school’s program. Critchett is the first winner in 2005. A coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ final home game and receive $2,000. Coaches are selected from a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; the Broncos; Susie Wargin, KUSA-9; and Marcia Neville, KCNC-4.
