School: Cañon City Tigers, Class 3A South Central League, ranked No. 1 in The Denver Post’s 3A media poll.
Record: 9-0 overall, 6-0 in league, 63-42 career.
Coaching resume: Assistant at Cañon City from 1986-2001. Head coach since 2002.
Life lines: Age 49. Born in Cañon City. Graduated from Cañon City High School in 1980 and from Northern Colorado in 1984 (bachelor’s degree in social sciences). Earned a master’s degree in coaching and administration at Colorado-Colorado Springs in 1991. Teaches American studies at Cañon City.
Back in his day: Running back at Cañon City from 1976-79 (all-Southern League and all-state as a senior) and at UNC from 1980-83 (all-academic North Central Conference).
Last week: Coppa said Friday night’s home game at Citizens Stadium “was exciting for our fans, but it gave me more gray hairs.”
After trailing 14-0 early against Palmer Ridge, the Tigers, who were admittedly flat for the game’s first 13 minutes, took the lead with a 12-point fourth quarter. Their 19-14 victory clinched the South Central title and guaranteed a home playoff game.
R.J. Stainbrook’s 43-yard touchdown run came with less than three minutes to play and Matt Schwindt’s interception inside the final minute sealed the win.
With his team also 5-0 on the road, Coppa said he has talked to his players about going undefeated — the Tigers finish at home against Pueblo Centennial — “and we want to be finishing things off the right way. We can get a higher seed and more home playoff games.”
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
About the award: The Denver Broncos high school coach of the week award, in its 17th year, will have 10 honorees during the regular season. A coach of the year will be announced at the Broncos’ Jan. 1 game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High and receive $2,000. Coaches are selected by a panel consisting of Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post; Billy Thompson, the Broncos; and Andy Lindahl, KOA 850 AM.
