NIWOT — After spending the last four years as an assistant coach at Arizona Western College, Josh Brewer will take over as head football coach at Niwot High School.
Brewer, 34, accepted the position Sunday and was introduced to the players on Monday. Both Brewer and Niwot High felt he was the right man to turn around a program that has struggled to the tune of a 5-25 record over the past three seasons.
“I know what these kids will be capable of and I think they just need an organized, motivated individual like myself to turn a corner,” Brewer said. “I’m pretty excited. By the look of the kids I’ve seen so far and the kids that should be getting involved, we should have a good start towards building a long and healthy program.”
Brewer will take over for Ron Tesone, who built a 66-52 record in 11 years as head coach at Niwot. Brewer has four years of experience as head track coach at Northridge High School and was an assistant football coach at Northridge and Greeley Central High School. This will be his first head coaching job but he doesn’t expect that to have any impact on how he coaches.
“I think the only thing that’ll be different is that I’ll be in charge,” he said. “Work ethic, attitude and amount of time won’t change because they’ve always been at the highest I can put in.’
Originally from Greeley, Brewer attended Greeley Central, where he played quarterback and safety. He also brings with him the experience of playing linebacker, safety, cornerback at Bethany College, safety at University of Northern Colorado, and both quarterback and safety for the Colorado Ice indoor football team.
Not only has he played both sides of the ball, Brewer has also coached and coordinated both offense and defense. Having played and coached in Greeley, he also feels he already has a familiarity with the 4A Northern Conference and with Niwot High School.
Brewer interviewed multiple times for the Niwot job via Skype from Arizona. He said the values he stands for fit the needs of the school and he’s also a compromising individual who understands that football is just one thing that kids do in high school.
“I think they respected that, and that I’ll follow through with everything I’ve promised to do,” Brewer said.
Brewer said he is still working on putting together his coaching staff. He also said he will likely substitute teach to stay close to the school and hopes to earn a teaching certificate and get in the building at some point.
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