The Coaching Story

Coach John Mundell has spent over 50 years working with athletes and promoting all sports as a way of developing what he considers important traits for future success.  In his 40 years at Strasburg Schools, he has been able to coach or observe nearly every athlete that has gone through the system.  His impact can be seen in his former players, as well as other coaches and the overall community.

In the world of volleyball, Coach Susan Odenbaugh reached a level of success that very few could ever imagine,  yet this is not the measuring stick that she uses to judge herself.  As a teacher/coach it has always been about her ability to work with others and give them the tools to be prosperous.

Tim Jenkins grew up loving athletics, competition, and specifically the quarterback position.  His path eventually led to opportunites at the professional level.  After his playing career ended, he then turned to private coaching and found that he was energized by the quarterbacks that he got to work with and the impact he could have with the next generation.

Niwot High School Coach Terri Ward is passionate about the game of basketball and helping young women develop and find success on the court and beyond.  Her willingness to promote the game has allowed her to have experiences that she never could have imagined when she entered the profession.

Born and raised in Akron, Colorado.  Coach Brian Christensen returned and ran programs in both football and wrestling that resulted in state championships on the field and state champions on the mat.  Through it all, he maintained an appreciation for his family, coaches, players, and community that he believes made it all possible.

There are many avenues that can be pursued that involve sports and my brother, Steve Hemphill,chose the path of sports journalist.  This has allowed him to have a front row seat to observe a multitude of great coaches and teams at all levels over the last 30 years.     

Coach Rick Carothers always wanted to be a coach.  After 400 basketball wins in coaching stints at Elbert, Calhan, and Kiowa, he still has the passion for competition and the drive to pass on the lessons that he believes go beyond the sporting arena.

Wrestling Coach Bob Smith had a successful career in the high school and college ranks that defines excellence.  He continues to be an ambassador of the sport and continues to connect with the extended family that he believes made it all possible.

Though he grew up in Holyoke, Colorado as a Coach's son and with a love of competition, Coach Ryan Baumgartner never intended on being a coach.  Following graduation at Doane University, however, he took advantage of an opportunity to become a college basketball assistant that led to a women's head coaching position at his alma mater.

In coaching both football and basketball for nearly the entirety of his career in Kit Carson, Colorado, Jim Trahern established a program where he worked with athletes from a very young age until their high school graduation.  His success in coaching can be shown in both the number of wins and, more importantly, the impact he has had on the overall school and community.

Utilizing his love of athletics and the help from his mentors, Coach Chad Marin found immediate success by winning a Colorado High School Basketball State Championship in his first year as a head coach.  He then took a different path by becoming a trusted assistant coach for multiple schools and sports.  His knowledge and ability to make a positive impact on the players he has coached has made him...

Coach Terry Amundson arrived at the world of coaching in an accidental way. Even though it was not in his original plan, he has inspired generations of student/athletes at Byers High School by keeping true to his beliefs in how athletics fit into the larger piece of the educational puzzle.

Though Joe Stemo made it to Bennett, Colorado through an interesting set of circumstances, he found that he appreciated the area, and liked what he was able to do in the field of teaching and coaching.  He chose to stay and the roots that he put down have had a continuing impact on the community.  

Coach Tobi Whitehead started as a cheer coach to help fill a need, but soon realized the impact that she could have with the young people she coached, as well as the entire school.  

Basketball Coach John Baumgartner spent years as head coach of the boys program and made continual trips to the state tournament.  A change of course moved him to coaching the girls, however, where he has reached more state tournaments and an appreciation for the road he has taken.

Coach Michelle Woodard believed that she had coached her last game and was ready to move on to other ventures.  Then a softball coaching opportunity arose that reminded her what she truly loved to do and how success is measured far beyond the wins and losses.

Basketball Coach Kyle Bollers always loved the game, but in the transition to coaching it, he had to develop a different mindset that would allow him to appreciate the process and ultimately become successful.

Basketball Coach Merci Ames has spent nearly 30 years at Strasburg High School.  She has had success on the court, which include two state championships, but she has many other reasons that keep her teaching and coaching at the same place she began.

Volleyball Coach Larry Deffenbaugh never planned on volleyball being the sport in which he would devote the bulk of his 40+ years of coaching.  Yet while he worked to improve his knowledge in the sport, he found a passion for it that he wanted to pass on to the athletes he coached. 

Football coach Jeff Giger has a passion for coaching high school football.  He has worked to overcome many obstacles and has reached a high level of success and is a respected coach in the prep ranks.  Find out how he developed his philosophy and his motivations for continuing to positively influence the athletes he mentors.