Rich Martinez
School: John F. Kennedy Commanders, Class 3A, Metro North League, 4-3 (3-1 in league) in 2010, 10-17 career.
Coaching resume: Assistant coach at JFK from 1999-2006 and West in 2007; head coach at JFK since 2008.
Lifelines: Age 38. Born in Denver. Graduated from North High School in 1990 and attended Kansas Wesleyan from 1990-92; graduated from Metro State in 2000 with a degree in counseling and human services; interstate/foster care supervisor for Jefferson County Child Support Enforcement.
Back in his day: Running back-quarterback at North from 1986-89; running back at Kansas Wesleyan from 1990-91.
Last week: “I’ll tell you, it was heaven, that’s the best way to put it,” Martinez said.
On Friday, JFK went into Broomfield’s Mike Gabriel Stadium and beat Holy Family 29-23 in overtime. It was the best victory for the Commanders in many years. They finished 3-7 in each of the past four seasons.
“It’s a great feeling for our kids. It’s tough to explain,” Martinez said.
The Commanders, who rode 145 yards rushing by Kyle Trinidad, needed a 15-point fourth quarter to tie the game in regulation. Then Braden Miltenberger’s 5-yard scoring pass to Robert Mecillas in the extra session gave JFK the lead before sweating out the missed conversion attempt.
Three running plays brought the Tigers to within inches of the goal line. A fumble on fourth down ended it.
“It was awesome,” Martinez said.
The victory kept the Commanders a game off the league pace. Opportunities for their first league title since 1993 await — they will be at Centaurus, also 3-1 in the league on Friday, then have a potential showdown with Metro North leader Skyview.
“We haven’t been there in a long while, but it’s nice to be in the mix,” Martinez said.
About the award
The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week award, in its 15th year, will have 10 honorees in the regular season. Primero’s Shelby Langford, Regis Jesuit’s Mark Nolan, Wray’s Levi Kramer, Burlington’s Glynn Higgs, Skyview’s Bill Nelson, Bethune’s Troy Hauxwell and Martinez are the 2010 winners so far. The NFL Youth Football Fund will present a check for $1,000 to the school’s program. The coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ game against the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 2 at Invesco Field at Mile High and will receive $2,000. Coaches are selected from a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; Billy Thompson, the Broncos; and Andy Lindahl, 850 AM.
