Republic Notes: Jj Koval Feels At Home

Jim Leonhard trusted his eyes. Such faith is foundational for any good defensive back. So when the 41-year-old’s smooth-sailing, fast-rising college coaching career took a big hit late in 2022, he first stepped back. Then he thought about what he’d seen and let it guide him toward his next landmark: the NFL. Leonhard kicked off this stanza of his coaching career in February when Sean Payton hired him as Denver’s secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator.

In his first job after college, Archie Colgan sold printers and copiers, but grew tired of being a facsimile of himself. He got along well with his boss, walked into his office and quit to pursue a career as a cage fighter. “I was nervous. That first hour after I did it, I was like, ‘Oh (shoot!).

For Zach Goodman, the apple didn’t fall far from the broadcast booth. A young Zach Goodman, approximately age 8, keeps score and practices his announcing in front of the Rockies game on TV at the family home in Greenwood Village. (Courtesy of Zach Goodman) When Zach was about eight years old, he’d dress up in a shirt and tie and sit in front of the TV with a scorebook, watching his dad, Drew Goodman, call Rockies games.

The Colorado Avalanche believes it found the long-term solution at a key position just before the 2024 NHL trade deadline. Figuring out how to lock in that player on the right contract is an integral part of this offseason. Colorado paid a significant price for Casey Mittelstadt — namely Bowen Byram, the best young player in the organization.

For the final major decision of his 52-year tenure as Cherry Creek’s head coach, Marc Johnson gambled. The Bruins were in the consolation bracket of the Class 5A state tournament entering the final weekend of play and needed to beat Grandview to advance to the title game to have a chance at Regis Jesuit, which was in the driver’s seat. Cherry Creek had the option of throwing one of its aces at Grandview, but instead Johnson elected to go with No.

The Denver Post’s 2024 All-Colorado baseball team, a 40-man roster determined by statistical analysis, a player’s relative value to team success and coaches’ feedback. Mr. Colorado Baseball Fort Collins High School’s Sean Togher (13) heads off the field after a 1-0 win over Monarch High School, April 23, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado.