Valor close to announcing new coach
Valor Christian is expected to announce a new head football coach this week, according to sources close to the search.
The finalists are Ed McCaffrey and John Howell, former NFL players who both have a son on the Valor football team. The Eagles have been without a head coach since Rod Sherman stepped down Dec. 22. He had a 57-11 record over five seasons and three Class 5A state championships with the school.
Valor Christian’s new coach will inherit a program with enormous expectations. The Eagles have won seven state titles and lost only two postseason games in the past nine seasons.
McCaffrey, a former wide receiver, played nine seasons with the Broncos and 13 in the NFL overall. He became a radio broadcaster after retiring as a player. His youngest son, Luke, is expected to be the Eagles’ starting quarterback as a senior this fall.
McCaffrey’s three sons older than Luke were football stars at Valor Christian. Max is a wide receiver with the San Francisco 49ers, Christian is a running back with the Carolina Panthers and Dylan is a quarterback at Michigan. Christian and Dylan were winners of The Denver Post’s Gold Helmet Award, presented annually to Colorado’s top high school football player. Luke is a twotime All-Colorado selection.
Howell, Valor Christian’s defensive backs coach last year, played at Colorado State before being selected in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL draft by Tampa Bay. The former defensive back played four seasons with the Buccaneers, including in their Super Bowl XXXVII victory in 2002, and two years with the Seattle Seahawks.
Valor was 11-1 last year, including an undefeated regular season and Mount Lincoln League title. The Eagles lost in the state quarterfinals to Grandview. This year, they will play in the Metro South League with Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista, ThunderRidge, Rock Canyon and Castle View.