AURORA – The Mustangs of Ralston Valley High School have blitzed through the 2025 campaign, running their record to an unbeaten 10-0 mark and conquering the tough 5A Metro League to stamp themselves as one of Colorado’s elite programs. Led by a defense that consistently shuts down opponents and an offense that is relentless, Ralston Valley has blended talent, tenacity, and a community-fueled culture of excellence into a postseason-bound surge.
For his leadership and the Mustangs’ impressive success, head coach Jared Yannacito has been named the Denver Broncos Tackle Football Coach of the Week.
Throughout the season, a Broncos Coach of the Week will be selected for both tackle football and flag football. Then, at every Broncos home game, during a pregame on-field recognition ceremony, the Denver Broncos will celebrate a group of these Coach of the Week honorees.
Q&A with Ralston Valley Head Coach Jared Yannacito
Q: Can you walk us through your coaching philosophy, both on the field during games and practices, and off the field in shaping young athletes?
A: I feel like I’ve had three core expectations since my first year as a head coach that I’ve tried to follow and model as best I can. The first is to do the right thing. Whenever something comes up within the program, with my coaches, or with my players, I always step back and make sure we’re doing what’s right. The second is to treat everyone the way you want to be treated, because that creates a positive culture for your team, your coaches, and your community. The third is to do everything to the best of your ability. Those three things, doing right, treating people right, and giving your best, are what I try to build everything around.
Q: Looking back on your time at Pomona and Golden High Schools, what lessons or experiences from those programs have had the biggest influence on how you approach coaching at Ralston Valley today?
A: My years at Golden High School will always be special to me. I was there for five years and took over a program that was struggling. In our first year, we went 7–3 and made the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. The biggest thing I took from that experience was the importance of building confidence within your kids. When players feel that their coaches truly believe in them, they start believing in themselves, and when you create a culture of belief instead of fear, you can do special things. At Pomona, I was part of an extremely successful program, and that taught me what it takes to prepare, to game plan, and to operate at a high level every single week. I’ve carried both lessons with me to Ralston Valley.
Q: When you think back to being named 5A Coach of the Year in 2022, what part of that recognition stands out the most and why does it resonate with you?
A: I always say I’m nothing without my players and my staff. You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with, and I’ve been fortunate to have incredible assistant coaches. While my name is on that award, it really belongs to the entire coaching staff. My defensive coordinator, Richard Trujillo, is one of the best in the game, and my defensive backs coach, Vince Cito, who’s also one of my best friends, has been with me since day one back at Golden. Those guys and our players make everything possible, so when I receive recognition, it’s really shared with all of them.
Q: Ralston Valley has been a cornerstone of Arvada athletics for 25 years. What makes coaching there meaningful to you on a personal level, and how do you see that community pride and energy influencing your players’ performance on Friday nights?
A: It’s meaningful because the kids truly want to be successful. They want to be coached hard, they want competitive practices, and they take pride in representing their community. That drive starts early with the youth programs they grow up in, and many of them come from families that value hard work and high expectations. It all trickles down into the way they approach practice and games. There’s an expectation of excellence every time we take the field, and that makes for a fun and special environment to coach in.
Q: Your program has achieved remarkable consistency in recent years, from quarterfinals to semifinal runs, and now a 10-0 record heading into the postseason. What do you think has been the key to sustaining that success, and what strategies do you use to keep your team motivated and focused as the stakes rise?
A: For us, it’s truly about taking it one game at a time. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing Cherry Creek, Valor, Columbine, or anyone else, the preparation stays the same. We owe it to our kids, our community, and our program to deliver the best game plan possible every week. The consistency comes from respecting that process and committing to it, no matter who we’re up against.
Q: Every successful team has players who set the tone behind the scenes. Who do you consider the leaders or “glue guys” in your locker room this season, and are there any players who have exceeded expectations or shown the most unexpected growth?
A: Your team often takes on the identity of its quarterback, and Zeke Andrews is as tough as they come. When his teammates see him run people over or play through injuries, that toughness trickles down through the roster. Our center, Austin Blattner, has also been a three-year starter on both sides of the ball and embodies that same blue-collar mentality. He does his job every single snap and plays with incredible effort. Beyond those two, I’d say our entire senior class has embraced whatever the team needs. Whether it’s switching positions or filling new roles, they’ve all done whatever’s necessary to help us succeed.
Q: Your team has excelled on both sides of the ball, holding opponents to roughly 16 points per game while averaging over 40 offensively. What factors contribute to this balance, and how do you foster a competitive dynamic where offense and defense push each other to improve each week?
A: We constantly preach that football is played in three phases, offense, defense, and special teams, and that each one is equally important. Our players feed off each other because they understand we’re one team. You’ll never hear our kids pointing fingers at another unit. If the defense gives up 38, the offense knows it’s their job to score 39. If we score seven, the defense’s goal is to hold them to six. That mindset of accountability and unity keeps everyone sharp and focused on doing whatever it takes to win as a team.
Q: Your team’s win over crosstown rival Arvada West was a season-defining matchup. What did that game reveal about your team’s resilience, composure under pressure, and their ability to execute when it mattered most?
A: It showed that our kids can handle big moments. Going into that game, both teams were 9-0, and we were without our starting quarterback, who’s an All-State player. That night proved we’re truly a team and that other players can step up when called upon. We had three keys to victory: confidence, being calculated in our game plan, and being relentless from start to finish. We told the kids that if they could focus on those three things and reset after every play, it would be a fun Friday night. To get a running clock in the third quarter against a quality opponent like Arvada West said a lot about their preparation and toughness.
Q: With the playoffs underway, how do you adjust your team’s mindset compared to the regular season? Are there specific changes in preparation, practice routines, or mental approach that you emphasize to ensure your players are ready for the heightened competition?
A: We view the season in three phases: non-league, league, and playoffs. Now that we’re in the postseason, our record resets to 0-0, and our focus shifts to playing our best football right now. Interestingly, we don’t make practices longer this time of year; we actually shorten them. I want practices to be sharper, more concise, and more focused. Time and urgency become even more valuable, and I want our players fresh and locked in when Friday night arrives.
Q: Looking to the future, what is your long-term vision for Ralston Valley football? How do you balance player development, sustaining program success, and cultivating a culture that leaves a lasting impact beyond wins and losses?
A: Our number one goal is to develop better young men. We try to teach lessons through football lessons in failure, success, and adversity, that will help them in life. Of course, I’m competitive and I want to win and play in big games, but if all I’m teaching is football, then I feel like I’ve failed. The real reward is when these players grow up to be great husbands, fathers, and leaders, and they can look back and say that being part of Ralston Valley football helped shape who they are. That’s the lasting legacy we want to build.