Vista PEAK boys basketball coach Gary Childress notches 500th career win

Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com

Gary Childress, one of the most successful boys basketball coaches in state history, won his 500th career game on Tuesday night.

The longtime coach, now in his third season heading Vista PEAK, sits at 500-314 in his 37-year career, which has also included stops at Limon, Yuma, in Washington state, Palisade and Grandview.

Vista PEAK, currently ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, beat Palmer Ridge 63-46 to extend its perfect start in the 2016-17 season to 8-0.

Childress is the 11th boys coach in state history to reach the 500 wins mark. Former Denver Christian coach Dick Katte holds the state record with 876 wins.

Childress ranks fourth among active coaches in terms of career wins, following Denver East’s Rudy Carey (783), Regis Jesuit’s Ken Shaw (717), and Resurrection Christian’s Bruce Dick (607).

Childress took over Vista PEAK prior to the 2014-15 season, and has coached the Bison to two consecutive state tournament appearances, including the Sweet 16 round last season.

Prior to that, he was the coach at Grandview for 16 seasons, and led the Wolves to three Final 4 appearances in 5A.