Denver Broncos Tackle Football Coach of the Week: Lutheran’s Stephen Robbins
By Damon Cook/CHSAANow
Photo: Thomas DeSando
AURORA – Lutheran High School is sitting at 8-1, with only one game remaining in the regular season. Coach Stephen Robbins has had a lot of success over the past several years with the Lions. The program hasn’t had a losing season since 2019 and has only lost eight games in the last four seasons, combined.
The Lions look forward to once again having a chance to compete for a State Championship. With them not losing since week three, they’re catching fire at the right time.
Throughout the season, there will be a Broncos Coach of the Week named each week for flag football and for tackle football. Then, at every Broncos home game this season, during a pregame, on-field recognition ceremony, the Denver Broncos will celebrate a group of the Coach of the Week honorees.
Previous Coaching Experience: Lutheran South Academy (Head Coach), Dallas Lutheran School (Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator), Carl Hayden High School (Special Teams), Concordia University (Defensive Backs).
Record at Lutheran: 71-36
How did you get into coaching?
Football has been a huge part of my life. My dad was a high school coach for 45 years, and growing up in Texas, I started playing tackle football at six years old. I continued playing through college at a small school, and after my playing career, I had the opportunity to coach there. That experience really sparked my passion for coaching. Afterward, I moved to Phoenix, where coaching high school football completely changed my perspective. Connecting with high school kids and making a difference in their lives has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve been coaching for over 20 years now, and this year, I’m proud to be leading the Lutheran High School football program.
What has contributed to your guys’ success this season?
Every year we assess what we need to do differently to improve. Over the past few seasons, we’ve been fortunate to have strong teams, but this year, I think it’s been our leadership. We have 22 seniors on the roster—25 last year—and many of those seniors are linemen. The line is truly the heart and soul of any team, and this group of seniors has been selfless in doing the hard work. Having a majority of our leadership come from such a vital position group has really helped guide the team in the right direction. It’s been a lot of fun to watch, and I think that leadership has been a key factor in our success.
Do you feel like there’s a theme to this season that you and your coaching staff are focusing on?
Yes, absolutely. Every year we try to have a theme or guiding principle that the players can fall back on. This season, we’ve focused on love, empathy and understanding one another. Those are tough concepts, especially for young men. Society often tells us to be selfish and focus on getting ahead, but we try to counter that mindset by encouraging our players to think about the bigger picture: Why are we doing this, and how do we care for each other in the process? The players have really embraced this, and it’s been amazing to watch them put those principles into action—celebrating each other on and off the field, supporting other teams at Lutheran, and learning to live for each other.
How have you seen your players embrace these values of love and empathy in their daily lives?
It’s been incredible to see. One of the things I’ve noticed is how the players have become selfless and focused on celebrating each other. They’ve been more intentional in lifting each other up, even in the weight room or in the hallways, and they’ve carried that energy into supporting other sports teams at the school. It’s no longer just about football—it’s about the entire Lutheran High community. It’s great to see the players taking this mentality beyond the field and applying it in other areas of their lives.
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, including the postseason, what excites you most about your team?
The fact that we have a chance to compete excites me. We’ve been fortunate to make the playoffs the last few years, but we always emphasize to the players that nothing is given. We have to earn our spot. Nothing is guaranteed, and we remind the players that if we get the opportunity to play in the postseason, we have a chance to win. That mindset is important. I’m excited to see how our team handles the challenge and continues to focus on the goals we’ve set. We take it one week at a time—check off one goal and then reset and move on to the next one.
As a coach, what do you feel your players have taught you over the years?
This team has really reminded me of the importance of being intentional with our actions and words. When you challenge young men—especially teenagers—to give their best effort, whether it’s in practice, a game, or in the offseason, and they buy in and commit to that challenge, it really hits home. It’s not just about saying the right things or putting out words—it’s about living those words and making them meaningful. This group has shown me that when you commit wholeheartedly to something, great things can happen. It’s been a powerful lesson, especially with the leadership of our seniors over the past few years. They’ve proven that hard work and dedication really do pay off, and it’s refreshing to see that attitude spread through the team.
How important is it to you to not only develop good athletes but also great young men?
That’s everything to me. Coaching is about more than just football—it’s about shaping young men who will go on to impact their communities, their families, and their professions. I’m fortunate to be at a Christian school where we emphasize character development, and I truly believe the foundation we build is about who they are as people, not just as players. Early on, I got caught up in focusing on wins and losses, but I’ve learned that the bigger victory is seeing these young men grow into strong, responsible adults. Winning a state championship is great, but if we can help these young men become positive influences in their communities, that’s far more rewarding than any trophy.
What would you want readers to know about Lutheran High School and your football program?
Our program is built on the idea of growth—growth as athletes, but more importantly, growth as people. We want our players to make a difference and understand that being great isn’t just about individual achievements. It’s about serving others and showing empathy. We teach our players that grace is important because we all make mistakes, but it’s how we learn and grow from them that truly matters. At Lutheran High, we’re committed to building not only strong athletes but strong young men who lead with character and love.
