CHSAA Hall of Famer Herman Motz, former TJ football and track coach, has passed away

It is with sadness that the Colorado High School Activities Association pays its respect to a long-time Denver Prep League coach and CHSAA Hall of Fame member.

Former Thomas Jefferson football and track coach Herman Motz passed away last weekend, but his presence cannot be forgotten.

Motz compiled a 135-30-1 at Thomas Jefferson from 1976-89, earning 12 state playoff appearances, 9 DPL titles, six final four appearances and winning two state titles. The first came in 1980 when TJ beat Cherry Creek 20-19 and the second in 1989 when the Spartans beat DPL rival Montbello 34-32.

Truly an old school coach, Motz used to walk to and from the school each day. It gave him time to think, he told others. He was inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame in its Class of 2005.

Motz coached football and track & field for over 20 years, earning numerous honors. He has been a clinician for numerous football clinics from 1977 to 1990 and has held virtually every office available in the Colorado High School Coaches Association and was named Coach of the Year seven times. He was inducted into the CHSCA Hall of Fame in 1991.

Motz was a member of the CHSCA Board of Directors and received the Don Des Combes Award, the highest honor that CHSCA can bestow. He was the original editor and producer of the CHSCA’s “The Colorado Coach.”