There are few better ways for a head coach to make his debut for a program than what Tom Doherty and his Grandview Wolves did in their season opening win on Thursday, Aug. 26.
That is a big reason why Doherty was selected as this week’s Denver Broncos high school coach of the week.
Doherty led his then-ranked 5A No. 9 Grandview team to a thrilling 30-29 last-second victory over 5A No. 7 ranked Pomona. The winning touchdown was scored with just 10 seconds left on the clock on a successful QB sneak from the one-yard line.
The Wolves are now ranked sixth at the 5A ranks ahead of this week’s matchup with Mountain Vista, who also comes in with a 1-0 record.
The Broncos coach of the week is selected in partnership with the Broncos. Find a complete list of winners at the link above.
Tom Doherty bio
Years as Grandview head coach (record): First Year (1-0)
Previous coaching experience: Eaglecrest head coach, Cherry Creek defensive coordinator, Smoky Hill defensive coordinator, Mullen defensive coordinator, Pomona assistant coach
Question: Why do you coach?
Doherty: “I student taught in the social studies department at Pomona HS in 1996 and since I played college football, I figured I should trying coaching too…I was hooked immediately. I love the relationships with the kids and the coaches, I love the strategy involved, and the competition on Friday night is awesome.”
Q: Why do you coach the way that you coach?
Doherty: “It’s the only way I know how. You have to be yourself.”
Q: What do you think it's like to be coached by you?
Doherty: “I know it has evolved over the last 25 years. I think my players know I care about them and that I love the game of football.”
Q: What was it like coaching Grandview for the first time after spending so much time opposing them?
Doherty: “It was a bit surreal at the beginning but it now just seems right. I’m a Grandview Wolf.”
Q: What was going through your mind on that final touchdown to win the game?
Doherty: “This is why we lift all summer, we have to move the pile. We called a timeout and our QB, Liam Szarka, said ‘let me run it in, we got this’…so we ran a QB sneak and the boys found a way.”
Q: What are you taking away from week one that can help you throughout the rest of the season?
Doherty: “I was proud of the determination and toughness our team showed. We talked all week about hanging in there throughout the game and preserving, and we did just that.”
Q: What can a win like this do for your program going forward this season?
Doherty: “We shall see…all I know is we found a way to win a close game against a great team.”