A new school year and fall sports season means new players, a new team, and new expectations for Doherty’s Football program. With those new expectations, the man being tasked with reshaping and revitalizing the culture and integrity at Doherty is new head coach Mike Campbell.
We sought to know what coach Campbell noticed, not only about football alone but the program, players, and school in general. He shared with us that first and foremost he liked the support he felt he would get from our athletic director, Jonathan Shub and principal Hillary Hienton– that it was critical to have. Coach Campbell also noted, “If you don’t have good people in place, it isn’t a job you should take.” He acknowledged his comfort at Doherty and the established traditions that are in place; thus, his pursuit and acceptance of the position.
On the flip side, Campbell addresses the cultural issues within the football program, and that there were certain expectations that weren’t set when it came to preseason. A lot can be said about a program by the preseason attendance and commitment, which is crucial when season comes. Coach Campbell explained that it started with the summer program where there were only about 40 kids total committed all summer long, whereas most 4A programs would have about 80 to 100. He claimed, “I think that it was a new expectation, not something that they were familiar with or something they’d done in the past,” highlighting that it was a huge culture shift. Furthermore, the individuality that he felt swept the program and gearing up for the challenge to put the team first and getting kids on board.
While digging a little deeper in his approach to the new program and the development of all the players, he made a big point of players being together and building big classes that have been together for multiple years, and using that as the foundation for his program. “Well, you know, one I think we’re doing that’s also different, we have about 10 seniors and I think maybe about 10-12 juniors. That is not in the design of success in high school football, and I mean, the teams that have success have big senior classes that have been together for 4 years, and those are typically the teams that are, you know, really knocking at the door for state playoffs, or even championships.” Also, recognizing the commitment from the underclassmen this summer, and remarking that 9 through 12 are all out on one field being coached by the varsity coaches. Not only practices, but games too, to get players acclimated as fast as possible to really show what it looks like to play at the varsity level.
Team unity and development as a team are some of the coaches building blocks for the program he’s taking over. So when it comes to goals for his team, he said he mainly focuses his end goal on his senior class. “We want them to go out winners and we want to have a winning record, we’d like them to taste the post season and be in the Colorado high school state playoffs, and then the third thing is to win championships.” He says that these goals for the senior class are ones that are never going to change, that it’s everyone’s goal, freshmen, sophomores and juniors, to give their all, to help provide that opportunity so that when it’s their turn they’ve got everyone behind them.
Leadership, willingness to grow, and being committed are some of Campbell’s biggest aspirations for Doherty football. Seniors help underclassmen to learn and perfect their craft to become a better player. Mindset is also a big thing, being able to acknowledge your big wins or losses on a Friday and get right back to it on Monday is very important. Not living in your losses but instead living in the moment. To quote Nick Saban, “Live where your feet are”, and “Try to get better every day”.
The Spartans started their season flying high, beating the Liberty Lancers 28-20 away in the season opener. This match also featured a matchup between the new and old head coaches, Dwight Hale standing on the opposing sideline. In their triumph, coach Campbell admitted that the win felt good, it felt meaningful, he noted, “He was here a long time, has a lot of fans in the building, and now he’s moved on to another challenge at Liberty. To play him and get a win was really cool, and I think the older kids especially liked that and I liked it also.”
For the incoming freshmen or players interested in playing football, here’s what you need to know according to coach Campbell, “They’ll be in a place where they’re gonna get coached, they’re gonna get developed, and we’re gonna find a role for them because football is a team game; the ultimate team game, in my opinion. We’re going to coach, teach, develop, and find a role for you, and you’re welcome to be with us. You just have to meet our standards and expectations, which are to show up, work hard, and have a good attitude, and then it’ll all fall into place.”
With a new program, players, and coaches, coach Campbell has his goals set and his foundations laid out to continue to build on. The season has started off on a high note and we wish our Spartans good luck for the rest of their season!