Joe Johnson
School: ThunderRidge Grizzlies in Highlands Ranch, Class 5A Southern League.
Record: 1-0 in 2008, 136-53 career; won three 4A Colorado titles.
Coaching resume: Began in California as an assistant and was head coach for three years at Ripon High School; head coach at Douglas County from 1994-98; assistant at ThunderRidge, 1999; head coach of Grizzlies since 2000.
Life lines: Age 42. Native of Longmont; graduated from Lyons High School in 1984 and Northern Colorado in 1990 (degree in physics); teaches physics at ThunderRidge.
Back in his day: Fullback and linebacker at Lyons, two-year all-stater; played safety at UNC.
Last week: If ever there was major anticipation for a team to move up to big schools in this era of changing outlay and multiple classifications, it was ThunderRidge joining the new Southern League and opening last Thursday.
And what an opener it was — the Grizzlies took on district rival Douglas County, the 2007 5A runner-up, semifinalist in 2006 and champion in 2005, at a packed stadium.
ThunderRidge fell behind quickly, then promptly established itself with program trademarks of solid line play, tough defense and steady rushing. It led to a 41-35 overtime victory, including four second- half touchdowns by senior running back Chris Nwoke.
“I’m really, really proud of their effort,” Johnson said of the Grizzlies. “They were ecstatic about it and they should have been.”
After developing into an annual 4A power, Johnson decided “it was finally time to move up.”
He realizes the trick will be dealing with 5A’s wear and tear on a weekly basis, but said he “has a good feeling about this team. You can have talented guys who just don’t come together or care enough about each other, but that’s not the case for this group.”
It was a confidence-builder, although that confidence will be tested for eight more weeks of regular-season play.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week award, in its 13th year, will have 10 honorees during the regular season. NFL Charities will present a check for $1,000 to the school’s program. Joe Johnson is the first winner in 2008. A coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 21 at Invesco Field at Mile High and receive $2,000. Coaches are selected from a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; Billy Thompson, the Broncos; and Andy Lindahl, KOA 850 AM.
