Denver Broncos High School Football Coach of the Week: Pueblo Central’s Kris Cotterman
Photo: Trevor Rodriguez
Head Coach Kris Cotterman took over Pueblo Central High School’s football program in 2017, following a winless campaign, and has slowly turned the Wildcats into regular winners in Class 3A.
Since the 2019 season, Cotterman boasts a 20-17 record and the Wildcats have only suffered one losing season.
This year’s team projects to be one of Cotterman’s best though. Off to a quick 2-0 start, Pueblo Central just notched their first victory over Pueblo East High School in over a decade, in a thrilling 20-14 victory. They’ll now look to stack wins, with Heritage High School up next.
Overall record at Pueblo Central: 26-30
Overall record as a head coach: 37-38
Previous coaching experience:
Pueblo West High School – Assistant Coach, Offensive Line Coach, Offensive Coordinator (9 seasons)
Rocky Ford High School – Head Coach (2 seasons)
Why do you coach?
My grandfather Jim Grieve was a football coach for over 50 years and I had the privilege to grow up at football practices and games, and I always enjoyed every minute of it. I had a plan from a very young age to play football as long as I could and then start coaching. I love being part of a team and being able to give young people a purpose as well as myself.
Why do you coach the way that you coach?
I believe building relationships with kids is key to being able to coach kids hard. I make sure to hold kids accountable and try and give them the best chance to be successful. I enjoy being around young men and it’s a privilege to be a coach. I try and always remember that.
How would your student-athletes describe your coaching style?
I would hope all the kids know I care about them and want the best for them. I make sure I am prepared to give the young men the best chance of winning and make sure they work as hard as any team in the state. I treat kids like champions so one day they can become champions.
What is your favorite memory from your time with Pueblo Central so far?
My first year at Central — I was hired in very late July — I took over a team that had not won a game in over a year and a half. Everyone told me not to take the job and that they had no chance of winning. That same year we played Glenwood Springs in Week 5 and enjoyed a hard-fought victory over a good football team. I enjoyed seeing those kids snap the losing streak and gain some confidence. It was a fun year just seeing the team grow and improve.
How meaningful is it to your program to get this win over Pueblo East, after going winless against them for over a decade?
We absolutely physically dominated and out-hit Pueblo East High School. They have been a successful program over the years and have had our number, but looking into my guy’s eyes before the game I knew there was not a chance we could lose that game. We played hard physical football and it sure felt good to get that Win.
What is your goal for the remainder of this season?
Our goal is to keep getting better, we want to beat every team in Pueblo and win the league. We have a way to go, we play some good football teams ahead and we are excited for the journey.
