Ryen Romero named Pueblo Centennial’s new boys basketball coach

PUEBLO — Ryen Romero is back in the prep coaching ranks.

The former Dolores Huerta Preparatory High boys varsity basketball coach is taking over the same position at Pueblo Centennial.

Romero replaces Richard Falsetto. The Bulldogs finished with a 6-13 record a year ago and were 0-10 in the Class 4A South-Central League.

“I was waiting for the right opportunity to come up, and this came up, and it was the right choice for me,” Romero said. “I built DHPH up into something, so I know what it is like to build something from the bottom and build it up.”

Romero took control of the boys basketball program when DHPH opened its doors in 2005 in Pueblo, and was the Scorpions coach until 2011.

“What I’m aiming for (at Centennial) is to start little by little,” said Romero, 35. “I know there are kids who want to play because our numbers this summer have been really good. I keep up with the South-Central League and I know it is super tough. Pueblo West, Central and South are going to be loaded next year, and we just need to start trying to compete. I’m not expecting anything big right away. We just need to take baby steps.”

DHPH advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 2011, beating Grand Valley 70-52 in the 3A Round of 32 in the state tournament before losing to Bishop Machebeuf 76-62.

The Scorpions finished 20-4, setting a school record for most wins in a season.

Dolores Huerta actually competed in the Class 3A 32-team state tourney three years in a row from 2009-2011 with Romero at the helm. The Scorpions also won the Tri-Peaks East regular-season title in 2010-2011.

Romero works as a recreation therapist at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo. He has three boys: Timothy, 12; Nicholas, 9; and Luke, 6.