BROOMFIELD — For the last 35-plus years football has been a priority for Gary Davies.
That all changed this summer, when he was down in Pueblo with his team at a summer camp and he got the call. His daughter had gone in to labor in Greeley and without blinking, he was on his way.
“It was just the right time,” said Davies, who recalls getting from Pueblo to Greeley in under three hours. “I didn’t hesitate, no can I go in the morning or consulting with the coaches, I just went.”
It was something that Davies, who won 232 games in his 28 year coaching tenure, knew was coming and in typical coaching fashion already had a game-plan in place for his departure.
He had turned the play calling duties over to some of his younger assistants and leaves the program in a very good place.
“There are other things now, that are my top priority and the kids at Broomfield need somebody that is 100 percent invested,” said Davies, whose career started with three winning seasons at Bennett High School. “And I could no longer do that.”
Davies, who retired from his teaching position three years ago, had countless games to pick from over the years as the one that stood out. But instead of narrowing it down and picking from some of the Eagles’ greatest win, he opted for 28 losses.
“It’s the last game of the season,” he said. “It’s the worst time and the best time when the season ends and the kids are emotional and you really get the feeling of how much it means to them.
“That is probably the most powerful game every year. I know that is weird to say, because it was always a loss.”
An avid outdoorsman, Davies will have the chance to spend time with family in both Colorado and Alaska doing the kinds of things he loves with the people he cherishes the most.
As for football, Davies, who still can’t watch a game on television without critiquing it, will still be around it. His son is an assistant coach at Fort Morgan and he had a chance to attend some of his games this year. He hasn’t ruled out the chance of sneaking into the stands next season for a few Broomfield games.
“I’m not one of those guys that is going to stick his nose in with the hiring and coaching. I had my time, and it is over,” he said. “It is time to move on.”
That opens the door for first year Bromfield athletic director Autumn Sereno to make her second big time hire since she assumed the position. Having already hired Mike Croell’s position, she is now tasked with replacing on of the greats in the business. She will have options both in-house and throughout the state for one of the best high school jobs out there.
