Forming from demanding early wake-ups and strenuous after-school practices, the AHS football team highlighted its promising potential after a season-opening victory against Grand Valley. The team’s success in its opening week can be credited to many hours of hard work, but more specifically, it is by virtue of its new head coach, Bryce Sandoval.
Over the summer, former head coach Ericc McCreedy stepped down, forcing the program to search for/ a new head coach. This search ended quickly when a former defensive coordinator from Durango received a text about a job opportunity. After finding Bryce Sandoval, a former defensive coordinator, the team knew he’d be the right choice. This fall at AHS, Sandoval is leading a big shift in the culture for the varsity football team. Aiming to add discipline to the program and bring the team closer together, Sandoval is trying to reshape the program’s identity by focusing on the day-to-day grind rather than just showing up big on game days. The way the team is transforming comes down to sharper practices, higher expectations, and a renewed emphasis on unity that has given the players a new surge of motivation.
Sandoval’s passion had been coaching, though not always in the realm of football. He started as a snowboard coach for six years, teaching young kids, then progressed to being the defensive coordinator for the Durango High School football team. Throughout his two years at Durango High School, he had a lot of success and went to the quarterfinals twice. Sandoval was ecstatic after receiving an offer to join Aspen High School athletics
“I got a text late one night that was like, ‘Yo, would you want the Aspen job?’ And I was like, I don’t know, maybe I already applied for a head coach job in Durango, but didn’t get that opportunity, but I got [it] here,” Sandoval said.
Shortly after, Sandoval was on his way to Aspen, excited to dive into a new opportunity. After arriving at Aspen High School, Sandoval’s first impression of the school was immediately clear.
“There are a lot of good athletes here, like natural athletes. In time, probably comes from skiing. I think the biggest improvement that will help all the sports is that I’m a big weight room fan, and every athlete should lift in some capacity. I don’t care if you’re an ultramarathoner, swimmer, football player, or volleyball player; everyone should lift.”
Coming from a background of coaching, Sandoval has developed a leadership style based on several key morals for building a strong team environment. Players are already noticing the difference in their daily routine and effort. Burton Pendarvis, one of the senior linemen, has felt the impacts of a more demanding training schedule.
“Last year, we would not lift basically ever during the season. This year, we’re lifting in the morning four times a week,” said Pendarvis.
For team captain Oliver Auvray, who has been a varsity player for four years and has played under two different head coaches, the shift under Sandoval has been personal. What once felt overwhelming has turned into admiration for the standard he set.
“I was a little intimidated by him at the start,” said Auvray. “He [Sandoval] came in, he said he was going to work us really hard. And at the time I didn’t really like the idea of grinding or putting my body through too much, but over time I love how he’s shaped this team into a bunch of athletes. He only knows one way how to do it, and that’s through hard work and determination, and he’s done great things with the program.”
Sandoval also aims to involve the school community in these sports events.
“We need to all support each other, we need to all go to each other’s events, I know that I perform better when there are more of my friends in the crowd.”
Overall, the entire school community is excited to welcome Coach Sandoval as the new coach and is eager for a new chapter of Aspen High School football.
“You have the A on your chest either at away or home games, and we leave everything better than we counted.”
