King of New Mexico: Ranking the top head coaches for 2019
NMPreps
NMPreps ranks the top ten head coaches in New Mexico. The conversation will stir debates as we will argue for many deserving head coaches. We looked at some career accomplishments, titles, win-loss records, projections, recent success, and much more. It's definitely not perfect, it shouldn't be and should cause debate. So have at it. We also left out new head coaches for the 2019 season.
No. 10: Michael Bradley, Mayfield HS
State Championships: 3
Scoop: Bradley has one of the most wins on the rank of top head coaches and leads the way with three state championships, last one in 2010 after a 10-4 season. The Trojans took a minor dip in 2017 but quickly back to a 6-5 season in 2018.
No. 9: Aaron Ocampo, Centennial HS
State Championships: 0
Scoop: Yes, the elusive state championship section has yet to add one but the career of Ocampo has been impressive. He's coached in a pair of title games at Centennial and at his previous stop at Manzano. Ocampo built Centennial from the ground up in a city that used to run through Mayfield and Las Cruces High.
No. 8: Kief Johnson, Ruidoso HS
State Championships: 2
Scoop: Johnson has built the Warriors program into one of the top each season and 2019 could add another title to the resume. Johnson led the Warriors to a title in 2014 going 12-1 overall and again in 2017.
No. 7 David Howes, Rio Rancho HS
State Championships: 2
Scoop: Down a few spots entering 2019, Howes is still regarded as one of the best head coaches in New Mexico. The Howes led Rams won the title in 2016 and 2014 behind two 13-0 seasons. The Rams continue to be a threat each season and after an under .500 season, the first under Howes, the Rams are looking to return back into the conversation.
No. 6 Leroy Gonzales, Robertson HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: Won one (2013) and coached in the last four state championships games. Gonzales continues to build teams each season, peaking at the right time each season. The Cardinals will again enter the season with some question marks but a wide open 3A football classification should have them playing late into November.
No. 5 Rex Henderson, Artesia HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: In just a short three years and Henderson is ranked in the top-10 of top head coaches in New Mexico. Henderson led the Bulldogs to consecutive titles in 2016 and 2017 - winning the title in 2017.
No. 4 Ken Stevens, Hobbs HS
State Championships: 2
Scoop: Ken Stevens was recently hired away from nearby Eunice High School after leading the Cardinals to four consecutive state championships, winning the last two and hasn't lost a game in 25-tries. Now he gets to prove it on the big stage of 6A football at Hobbs High School.
No. 3 Jeff Lynn, Roswell HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: We've undervalued the Coyotes and Lynn's program recent but last season put him up and inside the top-10. Yes, all the way to number three on our list of recent head coach rankings for the 2019 season. Lynn took the Coyotes to the 2018 State Championship and looking to stay a team to beat in 2019.
No. 2 Heath Ridenour, Cleveland HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: The Cleveland Storm have been a power since the doors opened and Ridenour has been a backbone to program. The Storm have played in two state championships under Ridenour, winning it all in 2015. The Storm, again, look to be a favorite heading into the 2019 season.
No. 1 Brandon Back, La Cueva HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: When ranking head coaches into the next season you have to look at the most recent 6A state champion head coach in Brandon Back. Back had to rebuild the pride the Bears program had in the 2000's and has done that playing in consecutive state championships, winning it all last season. The Bears are a favorite again in 2019.
*reminder this is more of a what have you done for me lately ranking along with everything else mentioned in the opening.
NMPreps
NMPreps ranks the top ten head coaches in New Mexico. The conversation will stir debates as we will argue for many deserving head coaches. We looked at some career accomplishments, titles, win-loss records, projections, recent success, and much more. It's definitely not perfect, it shouldn't be and should cause debate. So have at it. We also left out new head coaches for the 2019 season.
No. 10: Michael Bradley, Mayfield HS
State Championships: 3
Scoop: Bradley has one of the most wins on the rank of top head coaches and leads the way with three state championships, last one in 2010 after a 10-4 season. The Trojans took a minor dip in 2017 but quickly back to a 6-5 season in 2018.
No. 9: Aaron Ocampo, Centennial HS
State Championships: 0
Scoop: Yes, the elusive state championship section has yet to add one but the career of Ocampo has been impressive. He's coached in a pair of title games at Centennial and at his previous stop at Manzano. Ocampo built Centennial from the ground up in a city that used to run through Mayfield and Las Cruces High.
No. 8: Kief Johnson, Ruidoso HS
State Championships: 2
Scoop: Johnson has built the Warriors program into one of the top each season and 2019 could add another title to the resume. Johnson led the Warriors to a title in 2014 going 12-1 overall and again in 2017.
No. 7 David Howes, Rio Rancho HS
State Championships: 2
Scoop: Down a few spots entering 2019, Howes is still regarded as one of the best head coaches in New Mexico. The Howes led Rams won the title in 2016 and 2014 behind two 13-0 seasons. The Rams continue to be a threat each season and after an under .500 season, the first under Howes, the Rams are looking to return back into the conversation.
No. 6 Leroy Gonzales, Robertson HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: Won one (2013) and coached in the last four state championships games. Gonzales continues to build teams each season, peaking at the right time each season. The Cardinals will again enter the season with some question marks but a wide open 3A football classification should have them playing late into November.
No. 5 Rex Henderson, Artesia HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: In just a short three years and Henderson is ranked in the top-10 of top head coaches in New Mexico. Henderson led the Bulldogs to consecutive titles in 2016 and 2017 - winning the title in 2017.
No. 4 Ken Stevens, Hobbs HS
State Championships: 2
Scoop: Ken Stevens was recently hired away from nearby Eunice High School after leading the Cardinals to four consecutive state championships, winning the last two and hasn't lost a game in 25-tries. Now he gets to prove it on the big stage of 6A football at Hobbs High School.
No. 3 Jeff Lynn, Roswell HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: We've undervalued the Coyotes and Lynn's program recent but last season put him up and inside the top-10. Yes, all the way to number three on our list of recent head coach rankings for the 2019 season. Lynn took the Coyotes to the 2018 State Championship and looking to stay a team to beat in 2019.
No. 2 Heath Ridenour, Cleveland HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: The Cleveland Storm have been a power since the doors opened and Ridenour has been a backbone to program. The Storm have played in two state championships under Ridenour, winning it all in 2015. The Storm, again, look to be a favorite heading into the 2019 season.
No. 1 Brandon Back, La Cueva HS
State Championships: 1
Scoop: When ranking head coaches into the next season you have to look at the most recent 6A state champion head coach in Brandon Back. Back had to rebuild the pride the Bears program had in the 2000's and has done that playing in consecutive state championships, winning it all last season. The Bears are a favorite again in 2019.
*reminder this is more of a what have you done for me lately ranking along with everything else mentioned in the opening.
