2018

Meet the Coaches

Head Coach

Ed McCaffrey

Family: wife Lisa (26 years) – Max (23), Christian (21), Dylan (19), Luke (17) [Valor rising senior (football)]

Background: nickname: “Easy Ed” - played college football for Stanford and earned first-team All-American honors. Drafted by New York Giants in the 3rd round. WR in the NFL for 13 seasons (Giants, 49ers, Broncos). Three-time Super Bowl Champion (29, 32, & 33), selected All Pro and Pro Bowl (1998). Led Broncos in TD catches (1998-2000). Had 101 receptions in 2000 (team record at the time).

Offensive Line

Ben Hamilton

Family: wife Jeanne – Elijah (15) [Valor rising sophomore (football, wrestling, lacrosse)], Samuel (14) [Valor rising freshman (lacrosse)], James (12), Grace (9) & Daniel (8) – [Ben teaches Math at Valor]

Background: Son of former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Wes Hamilton. Played college football for the University of Minnesota, and was a two-time consensus All-American. Fourth round pick by Broncos and played OL in NFL for 10 seasons (Broncos & Seahawks). Two-time Super Bowl Champion (32 & 33)

Offensive Line

Tyler Polumbus

Family: wife Elizabeth (9 years) – Noah (6), Lydia (5) & Kensie (2)

Background: SuperPrep All-American for Cherry Creek High School. Played college football at University of Colorado and played OT for 8 years in the NFL (Broncos, Lions, Seahawks, Redskins, Falcons). Super Bowl 50 Champion.

Tight Ends

Jeff Thomason

Family: wife Blake [Valor Discovery Coordinator] – Taylor (23), Lily (17) [Valor rising senior], Beau (15) [Valor rising sophomore] & Piper (7)

Background: Played TE at Oregon (3-year starter) and for 10 years in NFL (Bengals, Packers, and Eagles). Played in 3 Super Bowls and won 1 (31, 32 & 39). Coached several camps as a player and coached 2 years youth football

Quarterbacks

Robb Wetta

Family: wife Valerie – Kindyll (15) [Valor rising sophomore (basketball & cross country)] & Ali (13)

Background: 2-year All-Colorado QB at Mitchell HS. Starting QB as freshman & sophomore at Idaho State. All Big Sky Newcomer of the year. Transferred to Fresno State, playing for Pat Hill & Jeff Tedford (roomed w/ Lane Kiffin). Transferred to Black Hills State where he was All SDIC Conference. Head coach at Coronado HS (2015-16), resigned to move to Denver so daughters could attend Valor. Coached QB/RB at Mitchell HS.

Wide Receivers

Brandon Stokley

Family: wife Lana (16 years) – Cameron (14) [Valor rising Freshman (football, baseball)] & Carson (11)

Background: Played WR at Louisiana–Lafayette. Brandon (football) and Lana (softball) are both in the Louisiana-Lafayette hall of fame. Drafted by Ravens and played 15 years in the NFL (Ravens, Colts, Broncos, Seahawks, & Giants). Two-time Super Bowl Champion (35 & 41).

Running Backs

Dwayne Cherrington

Family: wife Erica (2 years) – Elijah (22), Taya (18), Bailey (20), Azzareyah (12) & Tayshaun (11)

Background: RB at Santa Ana Valley High (CA) before playing at the University of Colorado. Academic All-Big 12, Regiment Award (greatest contribution w/ least recognition), Dean Jacob Van Ek Award, school record for longest non-scoring run (59 yards). Over 15 years of coaching experience, including coaching HS at Regis and Legend.

Assistant Head Coach

Running Backs

Rory Palazzo

Family: wife Christy (20 years) – Dane (17) [Valor rising senior (football & track)] & Ellie (14) [Valor rising freshman (volleyball)]

Background: SuperPrep All-American, Max Preps Super11. Played RB at USC under John Robinson and Charles White. Rose Bowl Champion. Two-time Pac-10 Champion. Academic All-American, Howard Jones Award, John Wayne Memorial Award. Coached football with Coach McCaffrey for 5 years.

Defensive Coordinator

Scott Darnell

Family: Wife Alison (21 years) – Alexandria (20), Riley (19), Isabella (14) & Sawyer (10)

Background: LB Coach at Littleton HS, DC at Adams City HS, Assistant Head Coach/DC/ST Coordinator at Regis Jesuit HS (7 years), DC at Littleton HS, Assistant Head Coach/DC/ST Coordinator at Lutheran HS, Assistant Head Coach/DC/ST Coordinator at Chaparral HS.

Defensive Line

Travis Kirschke

Family: wife Amy (20 years) – Ella (17), Gabe (14) & Blake (12)

Background: Played DL at UCLA and then 13 years in the NFL with Lions, 49ers, and Steelers – Two-time Super Bowl Champion (40 & 43). Entering 9th year coaching at Valor.

Defensive Line

Brian Miller

Family: wife Peg (26 years) – Kylee (19) [CSU incoming sophomore], Eli (15) [Valor rising sophomore (football & track)] & Emma (11)

Background: Played HS football in SE Iowa as TE & DE/LB. OLB at D-III William Penn College (IA). Coached Pop Warner football in Fort Collins; coached at Poudre HS for 2.5 years. Coached strength & conditioning at Loveland HS.

Linebackers

Richard Harvey

Family: wife Lila (14 years) – Elizabeth, Amber, Joshua & James

Background: All-State LB at Pascagoula HS (MS). Four-year starting LB at Tulane University under Mack Brown. Led Green Wave in tackles for 3 seasons. Drafted by Bills, & played 12 years in NFL (Patriots, Bills, Broncos, Saints, Raiders, Chargers). Played in 2 Super Bowls (27 & 28). Sponsored many football camps & coaching clinics, while in NFL. Recently started company for private coaching & film study.

Linebackers

Scott Zimmerman

Family: wife Lindsey (16 years) – Haley (13) & Chase (12)

Background: Played HS football & wrestled (undefeated state champ); played football at University of Northern Colorado – four-year starter, two-time All American, two-time National Champion. Spent time playing in NFL w/ 4 different teams as well as NFL Europe. 5th year coaching at Valor. Google “Scott Zimmerman Hard Knocks Video”.

Defensive Backs

Jimmy Spencer

Family: wife Tanya – Lil Jimmy (22), Javon (20), Jayden (10) & Jon (10)

Background: played DB for University of Florida under Steve Spurrier. CB in NFL for 12 seasons (Redskins, Saints, Bengals, Chargers, Broncos). Finished NFL career with 26 INT, 2 TD returns, 8 fumble recoveries & 1 fumble recovery for TD. First simultaneous player/coach in NFL since Dan Reeves in 1972.

Special Teams Coordinator

and Safeties

John Howell

Family: wife Laura (17 years) – Jaelin (18), Jack (16) [Valor rising sophomore] & Jake (13)

Background: Raised in Nebraska, played 8-man football. Played S at Colorado State. Drafted in 4th round, & played in NFL for 6 years (Buccaneers & Seahawks). Super Bowl champion (37). Started Pop Warner football in Northern Colorado; coached 10 years of youth football. Second year at Valor

Kickers and Punters

Rex Rolf

Family: wife Terri (27 years) – Haley (17) [Valor rising senior]

Background: Played HS football as TE/DE – All State; played TE at Ohio State under Woody Hayes, won two Big Ten titles. Coached 2 years of HS football in Ohio. Entering 12th season of coaching at Valor.

Assistant Coach

Tavares Bowens

Family: wife Kimberly (17 years) – Bryce (11) & Kai (10) – formed Bryce Bears Foundation w/ Autism Speaks of Colorado, to spread awareness & support for children w/ Autism w/ Walk now for Autism Speaks in CO every summer.

Background: FB at Saginaw Valley State (MI), 6.5 YPC in backfield that led NCAA in rushing. Led Orlando Predators to Arena Bowl XX as RB/LB coach under Jay Gruden (lost to Mike Ditka‘s Chicago Rush). League Champs & #1 ranked D as DC/LB coach w/ Lakeland Thunderbolts. Arena Football Coach of Year & League Champs as HC/DC of Florence Phantoms (SC). Over 7 years of HS coaching, (DL, RB, DB & LB). Colorado Crush DL coach. CEO of Sports Performance Company, “Phase 3 Athletes“.

JV Head Coach

Chuck Polson

Family: wife Shalon (25 years) [Valor Food Service Support & Volunteer Coordinator, football team mom] – Chalcey (25), Chaz (23) & Payton (17) [Valor rising senior (football)]

Background: All-State RB/S for Horizon HS. SS and OLB for Wyoming. WAC Champions (1993 & 1996). Youth football coach for both Chaz and Payton (14 years). Coached against Coach McCaffrey and Coach Palazzo.