Top 25 Head Coaches in New Mexico for 2015-2016: 6A-4A
by: Joshua J Grine of NMPreps.com
Which coaches in New Mexico are the best, today?
We ask this question yearly and many avoid ranking the coaches, we know the list is great and we have plenty that are worthy of the list. We asked NMPreps.com to voice their opinions and we took that into consideration. Our list isn't based solely on career-oriented but what happened in the last three seasons. It's not a list on legacy of coaches.
Our list has some obvious names, some might come as a surprise and you might be surprised as some names left off. We compiled our list, ranked 'em and now the fun part - our display. Don't hit the reply button to fast, or do, that's what makes it fun to be apart of this community.
There's nothing like a Final Four run as a six seed to boost your stock. Looking strictly at his teams (not outside chatter) he helped lead the 6-seed Albuquerque High to an upset win over No. 3 Carlsbad, winning 22-games last season. Garcia, depending on who you talk with is either too low or shouldn't make the top-25. Albuquerque High has the historic flare to the name but took a dip after the retirement of legendary head coach Jim Hulsman. Garcia's history has gone from Moriarty to Rio Grande and now Albuquerque High. He has yet to reach the title game but a pair of Final Fours (Rio Grande in the mid-2000's and last season) and if we stick to the storyline he is back in the game. The Bulldogs should be another Elite Eight or possibly Final Four team.
Each season the Bernalillo Spartans are a team that overachieve playing in class 4A. Darnell, is known for developing excellent shooting guards that have led the state in scoring or near the top. He knows how to get the most out of what he gets each season. With two state championships, four district titles and a few Final Fours, it would be hard to not list Darnell. A twenty win season will put him over 300 wins for his career and any team led by Darnell could always be an upset potential night. Not looking strictly at legacy, as we said this list was not, we list Darnell with two elite eights in the last three years and 52 wins the last three years.
Okay, nothing like taking a program to their first Elite Eight in 15-years to jump you into the Top-25 coaches for the 2015-2016 season. Yes, only one 20-win season at West Mesa but to overcome Volcano Vista and Atrisco Heritage Academy opening up in your backyard you have to appreciate the job he is doing for the Mustangs program. Schroer might be one of the most underrated coaches in the metro area. The program lost some key players but have some veterans that return and when Shonn has a stud he can get this team playing well. When we compiled our list, like mentioned, we tried to look not only at legacy but at the coming season and which coaches we are excited to see. The program is on the rise and Schroer will only jump on our list.
*Record incomplete at Tucumcari and one year at West Mesa.
One coach that we are looking forward to watching this season is Head Coach Danny Brown for the Highland Hornets. Brown, has had a huge task taking over a Highland program that is not in one of the easier districts to live in, in Albuquerque. Brown is the perfect fit, however, no matter how crazy that sounds for an Albuquerque Academy grad but he understands the culture of the area and he is quietly building a Highland team that could surprise people for the next two years (if not more). Like we have mentioned we are not on legacy (which he has coaching for the 2009 title) but he makes our list of 25 coaches to keep an eye on next season because this team is talented (in the making) and could be one to watch as an Elite Eight squad.
Yes, most have their arguments with Richard Martinez but it's a joy to see a coach with this much passion (for better or worse). One thing you can't argue with is his results, Martinez took over an Espanola Valley team that was terrible before he got there and took them to their first state title (2011). Martinez, gets this team to play hard, quick and fun basketball. With over 300 wins on his resume, we can't disregard that he is doing something right in the Valley. He will have some talented guards returning, even though it hurt losing a player like Jared Garduno but don't be shocked to see them playing in the PIT again this season. Martinez, makes our list because no matter who he graduates, his teams are always in position to beat you. Nothing like a Final Four appearance last season to help bust your stock either.
Okay, there is definitely nothing like an upset as a 13-seed over the 4-seed in St. Pius X to boost your ranking of head coaches for next season. In this case, though, we also look a little about what Mondragon has done in his 5-years as a head coach. He coached at Moriarty, a basketball doormat, and took them to the state tournament and over .500 record for the first time in 20-years(!). He then goes home to Artesia and takes the Bulldogs to the 5A Elite Eight in his first season and upset a St. Pius X team that is one of the best programs in 5A. Mondragon, ranks as the 19th head coach, now, but if you look at head coaches that love every aspect of coaching (he was first class to me in 2013), Mondragon will be around for many years. 19 now but he is the future of head coaches, yes there will be some legacy head coaches ranked behind him or not on our ranking (there will be a shocker) but I think he is on the rise and in today's game he backs up the ranking.
With an impressive start to his coaching career many people have taken notice of the job head coach Daniel Trujillo has done in a short five years at Taos High School. If our record counting is true he is one game shy of 100-wins and is another name with Mondragon as one of the rising head coaches in New Mexico fraternity. A Final Four appearance, 18 win season last year and its hard to disregard Trujillo on our rankings of New Mexico head coaches for next season.
Note: For the next two weeks we will release our list daily to get us talking about the season. If you have a correction to career records please feel free to e-mail Grine with your record at grinejosh@yahoo.com
by: Joshua J Grine of NMPreps.com
Which coaches in New Mexico are the best, today?
We ask this question yearly and many avoid ranking the coaches, we know the list is great and we have plenty that are worthy of the list. We asked NMPreps.com to voice their opinions and we took that into consideration. Our list isn't based solely on career-oriented but what happened in the last three seasons. It's not a list on legacy of coaches.
Our list has some obvious names, some might come as a surprise and you might be surprised as some names left off. We compiled our list, ranked 'em and now the fun part - our display. Don't hit the reply button to fast, or do, that's what makes it fun to be apart of this community.
No. 25 ANTHONY MESTAS
Goddard H.S. (other stops: Hagerman) | 253-63 (Career Record)
With 72-schools in the big school divisions (6A-4A) we kick off the list with a respected and young(er) coach in the New Mexico head coach fraternity circle. He left his post at Hagerman in the sumer of 2014 to lead the Goddard Rockets in 5A basketball. If you dig deep into his resume you will realize that Mestas should top make the list, even if he has only spent a year in the big school division. At, Hagerman High School he left with two state championships (2011, 2014) and one undefeated season in2011 (31-0). The Goddard Rockets are on the rise and expected to be an Elite Eight team (maybe a later prediction sneak peak). The Rockets went 13-5 last season and this summer he brought his squad to the metro area and displayed why he starts our ranking of head coaches in New Mexico for 2015-2016.Goddard H.S. (other stops: Hagerman) | 253-63 (Career Record)
No. 24 RON GARCIA
Albuquerque H.S. (other stops: Moriarty, Rio Grande) | 242-278 (Career Record)
Albuquerque H.S. (other stops: Moriarty, Rio Grande) | 242-278 (Career Record)
There's nothing like a Final Four run as a six seed to boost your stock. Looking strictly at his teams (not outside chatter) he helped lead the 6-seed Albuquerque High to an upset win over No. 3 Carlsbad, winning 22-games last season. Garcia, depending on who you talk with is either too low or shouldn't make the top-25. Albuquerque High has the historic flare to the name but took a dip after the retirement of legendary head coach Jim Hulsman. Garcia's history has gone from Moriarty to Rio Grande and now Albuquerque High. He has yet to reach the title game but a pair of Final Fours (Rio Grande in the mid-2000's and last season) and if we stick to the storyline he is back in the game. The Bulldogs should be another Elite Eight or possibly Final Four team.
No. 23 TERRY DARNELL
Bernalillo H.S. | 280-267 (Career Record)
Bernalillo H.S. | 280-267 (Career Record)
Each season the Bernalillo Spartans are a team that overachieve playing in class 4A. Darnell, is known for developing excellent shooting guards that have led the state in scoring or near the top. He knows how to get the most out of what he gets each season. With two state championships, four district titles and a few Final Fours, it would be hard to not list Darnell. A twenty win season will put him over 300 wins for his career and any team led by Darnell could always be an upset potential night. Not looking strictly at legacy, as we said this list was not, we list Darnell with two elite eights in the last three years and 52 wins the last three years.
No. 22 SHONN SCHROER
West Mesa H.S. (other stops: Tucumcari) | 140*-179* (Career Record)
West Mesa H.S. (other stops: Tucumcari) | 140*-179* (Career Record)
Okay, nothing like taking a program to their first Elite Eight in 15-years to jump you into the Top-25 coaches for the 2015-2016 season. Yes, only one 20-win season at West Mesa but to overcome Volcano Vista and Atrisco Heritage Academy opening up in your backyard you have to appreciate the job he is doing for the Mustangs program. Schroer might be one of the most underrated coaches in the metro area. The program lost some key players but have some veterans that return and when Shonn has a stud he can get this team playing well. When we compiled our list, like mentioned, we tried to look not only at legacy but at the coming season and which coaches we are excited to see. The program is on the rise and Schroer will only jump on our list.
*Record incomplete at Tucumcari and one year at West Mesa.
No. 21 DANNY BROWN
Highland H.S | 171-164 (Career Record)
Highland H.S | 171-164 (Career Record)
One coach that we are looking forward to watching this season is Head Coach Danny Brown for the Highland Hornets. Brown, has had a huge task taking over a Highland program that is not in one of the easier districts to live in, in Albuquerque. Brown is the perfect fit, however, no matter how crazy that sounds for an Albuquerque Academy grad but he understands the culture of the area and he is quietly building a Highland team that could surprise people for the next two years (if not more). Like we have mentioned we are not on legacy (which he has coaching for the 2009 title) but he makes our list of 25 coaches to keep an eye on next season because this team is talented (in the making) and could be one to watch as an Elite Eight squad.
No. 20 RICHARD MARTINEZ
Espanola Valley HS | 310-156 (Career Record)
Espanola Valley HS | 310-156 (Career Record)
Yes, most have their arguments with Richard Martinez but it's a joy to see a coach with this much passion (for better or worse). One thing you can't argue with is his results, Martinez took over an Espanola Valley team that was terrible before he got there and took them to their first state title (2011). Martinez, gets this team to play hard, quick and fun basketball. With over 300 wins on his resume, we can't disregard that he is doing something right in the Valley. He will have some talented guards returning, even though it hurt losing a player like Jared Garduno but don't be shocked to see them playing in the PIT again this season. Martinez, makes our list because no matter who he graduates, his teams are always in position to beat you. Nothing like a Final Four appearance last season to help bust your stock either.
No. 19 MICHAEL MONDRAGON
Artesia HS (other stops: Moriarty) | 50-92 (Career Record)
Artesia HS (other stops: Moriarty) | 50-92 (Career Record)
Okay, there is definitely nothing like an upset as a 13-seed over the 4-seed in St. Pius X to boost your ranking of head coaches for next season. In this case, though, we also look a little about what Mondragon has done in his 5-years as a head coach. He coached at Moriarty, a basketball doormat, and took them to the state tournament and over .500 record for the first time in 20-years(!). He then goes home to Artesia and takes the Bulldogs to the 5A Elite Eight in his first season and upset a St. Pius X team that is one of the best programs in 5A. Mondragon, ranks as the 19th head coach, now, but if you look at head coaches that love every aspect of coaching (he was first class to me in 2013), Mondragon will be around for many years. 19 now but he is the future of head coaches, yes there will be some legacy head coaches ranked behind him or not on our ranking (there will be a shocker) but I think he is on the rise and in today's game he backs up the ranking.
No. 18 DANIEL TRUJILLO
Taos HS | 99-48 (Career Record)
Taos HS | 99-48 (Career Record)
With an impressive start to his coaching career many people have taken notice of the job head coach Daniel Trujillo has done in a short five years at Taos High School. If our record counting is true he is one game shy of 100-wins and is another name with Mondragon as one of the rising head coaches in New Mexico fraternity. A Final Four appearance, 18 win season last year and its hard to disregard Trujillo on our rankings of New Mexico head coaches for next season.
No. 17 JOE SANCHEZ
Grants HS | 33-27 (Career Record)
Another head coach, like Trujillo and Mondragon, who went home to coach their alma mater. Sanchez, might be some surprise to some of you making the list so early as he only enters his third season but Sanchez is making huge waves in Grants. The Pirates reached the Final Four last season and an Elite Eight in 2014. The Pirates are improving quick, the 2013 team went 9-18 before Sanchez took over the program. You will likely hear this name for many years to come as the Pirates could be a true contender for the 5A title. Grants HS | 33-27 (Career Record)
No. 16 (tie) RICKIE McBROOM
Portales HS (other stops: Lordsburg, Moriarty, Aztec) | 288-277 (Career Record)
Not only head coach that we could talk more highly of other than Rickie McBroom. The Rams played in the Final Four last season, falling to Hope Christian but the job he has done in his three years is tremendous. McBroom has long been respected member of the coaching circle. But now as an early favorite in 2015-2016 in 4A you have to take notice. Portales HS (other stops: Lordsburg, Moriarty, Aztec) | 288-277 (Career Record)
No. 16 (tie) BRANDON SIQUEIROS
Silver HS | 113-50 (Career Record)
Another coach like McBroom that we couldn't speak more highly of. Siqueiros, has taken the Colts to another level and this coming season we could see them playing in the Final Four (maybe an extra game past that). This year that spot to play Hope in the title game could be up for grabs but don't be shocked if it's the Colts. Two Elite Eights and this might be the season the Colts play in the PIT. Silver HS | 113-50 (Career Record)
No. 15 ROY SANCHEZ
Eldorado HS | 344-238 (Career Record)
Okay, yes we are aware of the terrific career that Sanchez has had (I for one love sitting down and chatting with coach Sanchez) but we remind you that this is not on legacy. If it was then likely in the top-5/6-10. Last season was a down year for the Eagles who have spent the last two seasons searching for the stud to help them over the hump. It's very hard to argue with Sanchez being at 15 and not in the top ten but leading into next season we have placed him here. The team will again be young next season and yes they have one, if not the best incoming freshmen but it might be a year or two. In 2013-214 they went 17-10 but last season at 11-15 was among the top-four lowest in win totals at Eldorado. Eldorado HS | 344-238 (Career Record)
Note: For the next two weeks we will release our list daily to get us talking about the season. If you have a correction to career records please feel free to e-mail Grine with your record at grinejosh@yahoo.com
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