COACHES

HEAD COACH - Coach Jeff Santee is entering his second year as the Head Coach at Monarch, bringing over two decades of coaching experience and a deep passion for developing student-athletes on and off the field. In his first year at the helm, he led the Coyotes to their first league title in nine years and is energized by the momentum heading into the 2024–2025 campaign.

With 22 years of high school football coaching experience across Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado—including seven years as a head coach—Coach Santee has earned a reputation for leadership, discipline, and a strong commitment to player development.

As a player, Coach Santee was named an Oklahoma Coaches’ Association All-State receiver and also earned All-State honors as a linebacker by The Daily Oklahoman. He continued his football career at Fort Lewis College, where he played as a receiver.

Football runs deep in Coach Santee’s family. His father and uncle played at the University of Oklahoma under the legendary Bud Wilkinson during the Sooners’ historic 47-game winning streak—the longest in college football history.

Off the field, Coach Santee has dedicated 32 years to education, teaching Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education. He has also spent more than 30 years training athletes in performance and conditioning, helping them maximize their potential through focused effort and preparation. In addition to coaching and teaching, he runs a small real estate business with his wife.

A proud family man, Coach Santee has two wonderful children and, in his words, the “greatest football wife” around.

At Monarch, Coach Santee is committed to building a strong, character-driven program rooted in integrity, resilience, and teamwork—preparing his players not just for Friday nights, but for lifelong success.

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR - Coach Robert Haas is entering his 4th season as an assistant coach at Monarch (third season as Defensive Coordinator), bringing over 15 years of coaching and playing experience.

As a player in high school, Robert attended Fairview in Boulder (‘96).  As a senior, he garnered Blue Chip, Prep Football Report, Schutt Sports, SuperPrep, and Who's Who All-America honors, when he was also made first-team All-Colorado by the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. Additionally, earning first-team all-state honors by the Post and News, he made the Blue Chip lists by both newspapers (he was the No. 4 player in Colorado as ranked by the News). PFR tabbed him as the No. 8 overall player in the Midlands region, with Blue Chip calling him the No. 6 line recruit in the then-Big Eight area. He was one of 15 defensive linemen selected to the Tacoma News-Tribune's Western 100 squad, and the National Recruiting Advisor selected him to its all-Midlands team. He earned first-team all-Centennial League honors on defense and second-team on offense. As a senior, he started every game at offensive tackle (grading out at 92%) and defensive end, where he was in on 62 tackles, with 41 quarterback hurries, eight sacks, five forced fumbles, and two blocked punts. 

Robert was a three-time letter winner at the University of Colorado, where he was also a 3 time Academic All-Big 12 selection in those same years.  Multiple knee and shoulder injuries ended his playing career early, precipitating his entry into the coaching ranks as a student assistant while at CU. 

Off the field, Robert is a Partner in a boutique real estate development firm in Boulder, which has completed well over 200 successful projects in Boulder County over the last 15 years.  Before his current role, he spent over a decade in construction and development finance.

Robert is the proud husband of Devan and father of Grant and Presley.  The Haas' reside in Boulder and are grateful to be active members of the Louisville and Superior communities.  Robert also coaches the throwers for the Monarch Track and Field program.

On the field, Robert motivates young people to find success by pushing their own limits in order to have a greater understanding of attributes that are unique to them and their teammates.  He considers his interaction with a young person a tremendous success if they are able to learn and have confidence that they can chart their own path to success in life by applying hard work, discipline, and a competitive spirit.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR - Coach Jon Schumacher is a dedicated and adaptable football coach with a deep commitment to helping student-athletes grow both on and off the field. With 12-years of football coaching experience across a range of successful high school programs, he brings a thoughtful, team-first approach to leadership, emphasizing discipline, communication, and personal growth as much as athletic performance.

Throughout his career, Coach Schumacher has taken on a wide variety of roles, from Offensive Coordinator to Quality Control Coach. He’s been instrumental in helping programs strengthen their culture, improve consistency, and build trust among players and coaches. Whether implementing new offensive systems, mentoring young athletes, or supporting administrative and operational needs, he brings a steady, solutions-focused mindset to everything he does.

Beyond the football field, Coach Schumacher holds a degree in Structural Engineering and has worked with professional teams and organizations for more than 20 years. He currently owns and operates businesses in the construction and design industry, where he continues to apply the same values of planning, accountability, and collaboration that he instills in his athletes. His diverse background gives him a unique perspective on preparing young people for success in a wide range of future careers.

Coach Schumacher has a particular passion for building relationships and guiding athletes in becoming confident, accountable individuals. He’s worked with diverse teams, including those in under-resourced communities, and always tailors his coaching to meet the unique needs of his players. Known for his thoughtful communication and attention to detail, he strives to create an atmosphere where every athlete feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Above all, Coach Schumacher is dedicated to helping young people grow into leaders, teammates, and well-rounded individuals. He emphasizes leadership, accountability, and communication - values that go beyond football and prepare athletes for success in school, career, and life. His mission is clear: to use football as a tool to inspire and elevate the next generation of athletes, professionals, and community leaders.

RUNNING BACKS - Coach Scott Lockwood is entering his third season as an assistant and running backs coach at Monarch High School, bringing nearly 20 years of coaching and playing experience. In addition to his high school role, he has spent over a decade coaching youth football at various levels within the local community.

A standout athlete at Fairview High School in Boulder, CO, Scott set the Colorado all-time rushing record in 1987 with over 4,800 rushing yards and 5,400 all-purpose yards in three seasons. He was named Colorado’s “Golden Helmet” Player of the Year. He earned national recognition, including First Team USA Today All-American, Army All-American, Parade All-American, and Gatorade All-American honors. Ranked as the No. 3 running back in the nation behind Emmitt Smith and Ricky Watters, he also excelled in track, winning a state title and setting a national Junior Olympics indoor record (60 yards in 6.2 seconds), as well as Fairview’s 100m record (10.54 seconds).

Scott went on to star at the University of Southern California (USC), where he was a four-year letter winner, team captain, two-time All-Pac-10 selection, and NSCA All-American. He played in three Rose Bowls and was only the second freshman in USC history to start at tailback in the Rose Bowl, following Heisman Trophy winner Charles White.

Despite a serious knee injury in his senior year, Scott was selected by the New England Patriots in the 8th round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He became one of only two Patriots rookies that decade to rush for over 100 yards in a game. He also spent time with the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, and the Scottish Claymores (NFL Europe). 

Internationally, Scott coached defensive backs and running backs alongside Legendary coach Sam Pagano in Bergamo, Italy, leading the team to a perfect 15-0 season, winning both the Euro Bowl and Italian League Championships in 2025.

Football excellence runs in the family. Scott’s father, John Lockwood, played for both the University of Colorado and USC before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. He later became a highly successful high school coach in California and Colorado, producing multiple future college and professional athletes.

Off the field, Scott is a seasoned business executive, having served as Vice President of Upscale Hotel Development for one of the world’s largest hospitality companies. He has overseen more than 80 hotel projects totaling over 9,400 rooms and $2 billion in development.

He lives in Louisville, CO, with his wife, Sara, and their three sons. Coach Lockwood is deeply committed to teaching values like sacrifice, discipline, and integrity. He emphasizes the importance of character—doing the right thing when no one is watching—as the foundation for both athletic and personal success.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS - Brian has spent the last two decades coaching football at the youth, middle school, and high school levels. Alongside his football career, he’s also coached wrestling at every level and is currently part of the Monarch wrestling coaching staff.

As a player, Brian was a two-way starter at Monte Vista High School, competing in multiple Colorado playoff games. On the wrestling mat, he was even more accomplished, a four-time state placer, two-time state champion, and a 1998 High School All-American. Brian went on to wrestle at the University of Northern Colorado, where his college career was unfortunately cut short due to a series of knee injuries.

Today, Brian is passionate about pouring into young men, using football and wrestling as powerful platforms to build character, confidence, and life skills in his players.  Brian is a proud husband and father of four boys, three of whom are currently or are former Monarch football standouts.

OUTSIDE RECEIVERS - Coach Clay White is a Louisville native who proudly represents the 80027 community both in the classroom and on the field. A 2005 graduate of Monarch High School, Coach White grew up in Louisville and experienced firsthand the tradition, pride, and expectations that define Monarch athletics. He was a member of the 2002 Monarch State Championship team and later returned to the program as a coach on the 2012 State Championship staff, giving him a unique perspective as both a former player and championship coach.

Coach White has spent 15 years coaching student-athletes and 13 years teaching, and he currently teaches at Louisville Middle School, where he works daily to support, challenge, and connect with students beyond athletics. His dual role as an educator and coach strongly shapes his approach to coaching.  In addition to his work with football, he also coaches girls' basketball and baseball at Monarch, further reflecting his commitment to serving student-athletes across multiple programs. 

At the core of Coach White’s philosophy is a relationship-based approach built on trust, accountability, and care for the whole athlete. He believes that strong relationships allow coaches to hold athletes to high standards and clear expectations, both on and off the field. Discipline, effort, and integrity are non-negotiables, but they are always paired with support, consistency, and genuine investment in each player’s growth.

Coach White is deeply rooted in the Louisville community and is proud to raise his family there. He and his wife, Zoe, an amazing educator in BVSD, are the parents of two children, Kennedy (4) and Beck (1), who inspire him daily and reinforce the importance of character, balance, and leadership.

For Coach White, coaching is about far more than wins and losses; it’s about developing young people, honoring the traditions of the program, and preparing athletes to succeed long after they leave the classroom and field.

OFFENSIVE LINE - Coach Kelley is in his second year coaching the offensive line. A standout at Vista High School, Coach Kelley was a two-time team captain and a cornerstone of the offensive line, leading the Panthers to San Diego Section semifinals twice and state championship appearances in 2010 and 2011, securing a state title in 2011. His senior year accolades include SuperPrep All-American team (No. 98 overall, No. 15 offensive lineman, No. 2 center), Scout.com’s No. 22 offensive lineman nationally, and ESPN’s No. 2 center in the country. He earned first-team All-CIF San Diego Section, second-team All-State by Cal-Hi Sports, and first-team All-League honors in both the Avocado (2010) and Palomar (2009) Leagues.

With 118 pancake blocks in his senior year, Coach Kelley anchored an offensive line that powered Vista to 34.2 points and 416.8  yards per game, including over 3,000 rushing yards on the season.

Coach Kelley then went on to play football at the University of Colorado Boulder, starting 38 consecutive games at center after redshirting his freshman year. As a sophomore, junior, and senior, he played nearly every offensive snap, grading consistently above 87% overall. He earned All-Pac-12 honors his senior year. Known for his consistency and toughness, he allowed very few sacks across his career and tallied numerous knockdown and touchdown blocks. A rare highlight came when he scored the first points of the 2014 season by recovering a fumble in the end zone, becoming the first CU offensive lineman to score the team’s opening points in school history. In his senior season, CU had a 10 win season, won the pac-12 south championship, and got as high as 8th in the country. 

Beyond his technical performance on the field, Coach Kelley served on Colorado’s leadership council, helping to guide the team’s culture on and off the field. Athlon Sports and Phil Steele consistently recognized him as a top Pac-12 lineman. Throughout his career, he demonstrated a rare combination of durability, leadership, and precision, laying the foundation for his transition into coaching and mentoring the next generation of linemen.

Currently, Coach Kelley is a professional strongman attempting to get to “The World's Strongest Man” competition. His highest placing, so far, at elite competitions is 6th at the Arnold World Championships and 14th at the Shaw Classic.

Coach Kelley’s coaching philosophy emphasizes relentless effort, precise fundamentals, and a commitment to protecting the quarterback and opening lanes for the run game.

Coach Kelley holds a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, as well as a master's degree in Special Education with an emphasis in autism.

As a coach, Coach Kelley hopes to not just coach your boys on the field, but instill leadership skills that will carry on to whatever career they choose to pursue in life. 

DEFENSIVE LINE - Coach Myke Rivera, known as Coach Riv, has over 17 years of football coaching experience and is entering his second year at Monarch High School. He comes from a proud family tradition of coaching, driven by a passion for mentoring young men and women both on and off the field. Throughout his career, he has led numerous youth and high school teams to league titles and state championships. In addition to football, Coach Riv has been coaching wrestling for more than 18 years and currently serves as an assistant wrestling coach at Monarch.

As a student-athlete at Centaur High School, Myke was a two-time All-State linebacker. He also excelled in wrestling, becoming a two-time state finalist, a state champion, and earning All-American honors. He competed in baseball and track as well. Myke went on to play college football as a defensive tackle at New Mexico Highlands University.

Coaching runs deep in his family—his father, Coach Mike Rivera, has been coaching for over 35 years and is a member of the Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame as both a player and coach. He is currently involved with Team USA Women’s Football.

Off the field, Myke is a proud husband to Lisa Rivera and father to Mychal Rivera Jr., who has Down syndrome. He volunteers his time to support programs for children with special needs and works professionally as a sales manager for Orkin Pest Control.

Although he has no children participating in sports at Monarch, Coach Riv is fully committed to the school’s football and wrestling programs. His mission is to help young athletes grow into their best selves and to help build Monarch into a powerhouse in both sports.

Defensive Backs - Coach Robert O'Brien grew up in Louisville/Superior and attended Monarch High School, class of 2004, and is a proud member of the 2002 4A State Championship football team. O'Brien attended the University of Northern Colorado and holds degrees in exercise science and education. O'Brien has been coaching football since 2009 and is extremely excited to be back on a Monarch sideline. Most recently, he was the head football coach at Broomfield High School. While there, he had an overall record of 32-7, including winning the 2024 4A State Championship and being named the 2024 4A Head Football Coach of the Year. In addition, his teams won two Conference Championships, he was twice named Conference Coach of the Year, and made two semi-final appearances in his 3 years at BHS. O'Brien has head coaching experience in Colorado as well as Florida and also spent time on the staff at the Colorado School of Mines coaching defensive backs. O'Brien lives in Lafayette, Colorado, with his wife Katie, who is also a teacher. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, playing golf, lifting weights, fly fishing, and painting. He is passionate about the development of the entire person, not just the athlete, and is excited about giving back to the community that gave so much to him.  

QUARTERBACKS - Coach TJ Patterson, a Boulder native and 2013 graduate of Boulder High School, brings a wealth of experience and quarterback expertise to the Monarch Football program. As a standout QB under Coach Santee, Patterson led the Panthers in the 2012 season and earned national recognition on the summer camp circuit. He was named MVP at the National Underclassmen Combine (NUC) regional in Denver and again at the NUC Ultimate 100 in Los Angeles. He capped the summer by leading his team to victory at the NUC 7on7 National Championship and ranked among the top three quarterbacks at the NUC Top Prospect Camp Elite at the University of Oklahoma.

Patterson continued his football career at the Division I level, initially signing with the University of Wyoming in 2013. After redshirting during his freshman year, he transferred to the University of Colorado in 2014, where he served as a backup quarterback and the starting holder under Head Coach Mike MacIntyre and Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren. He was a member of the 2016 CU Buffaloes team that won the Pac-12 South Title, appeared in the Pac-12 Championship, and played in the Alamo Bowl, finishing the season ranked #9 nationally.

A 2018 graduate of CU with a degree in Sociology, Coach Patterson founded the TJ Patterson Football Academy shortly after college. His academy provides high-level training for offensive and defensive skill players, focusing on position-specific development, speed and agility, recruiting guidance, football IQ, and board work. The academy has helped produce over 20 Division I signees, 10+ Division II signees, 7 NFL draft picks, and 4 NFL free-agent signees.

Now entering his second year as the Quarterbacks Coach at Monarch High School, Coach Patterson brings passion, knowledge, and a proven track record of developing talent to the Coyotes’ program.

OFFENSIVE LINE - Coach Jimmy Zechmann brings more than 25 years of football coaching and strength and conditioning experience. After playing collegiately at Concordia College and Wayne State College in Nebraska, he earned a B.A. in Special Education from the University of Nebraska, an M.A. in Coaching and Athletic Administration, and an M.S. in Exercise Science from Concordia University Irvine. He currently teaches physical education and serves as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Broomfield High School.

Since beginning his coaching career in 1999, Zechmann has coached at Lincoln Northeast, Westminster, Chatfield, Monarch, Mountain Range, and Broomfield High Schools. A member of the Broomfield football staff since 2010, he has coached in four state championship games and more than 40 playoff contests, contributing to staffs with over 30 postseason victories. Throughout his career, he has also had the opportunity to coach at least one First- or Second-Team All-State athlete each season.

Zechmann's extensive strength and conditioning background includes experience at the University of Nebraska, Wayne State College, the University of Denver, and with the 5-19th Special Forces (Airborne) Colorado National Guard. He has worked alongside respected coaches and strength professionals, including Boyd Epley, Dr. Bryan Mann, Dennis Wagner, and Mike Sanders. His coaching philosophy is centered on continual learning, adaptability, and finding the best ways to serve and develop the athletes and coaches around him.

MIDDLE LINEBACKERS - Coach John Hickey grew up in Broomfield and played high school football at Broomfield High School. After high school, he played football at the collegiate level for both Western Colorado University and Adams State University. He has been coaching football at the high school and college level since 2012. Most recently, he served as Special Teams Coordinator and Linebacker Position Coach at Broomfield High School, where he helped lead the team to the 2024 CHSAA 4A State Championship. He has held head coaching positions at Greeley West High School and Norwood High School, and has worked as an assistant coach at various high school programs throughout the state of Colorado. In 2017, he coached at Waldorf University, where he helped the school achieve its best record ever as a four-year school. Coach Hickey holds a B.A. in Child Development and Human Performance from Adams State University, a Principal Licensure from Western Colorado University, and two master's degrees—one in Organizational Leadership and one in Education, both from Waldorf University. 

C TEAM OL/DL - Mickey has coached youth football in Frederick and also served as a coach for the Northern Warriors football team, where they traveled to Las Vegas and won the youth national championship for 13-year-olds. He lives in Lafayette and works for the school district as a member of the grounds maintenance team. In addition,  Mickey has been coaching high school football as the offensive line coach for the Monarch High School freshman team. 

C TEAM WR/DB - With deep roots in both playing and coaching, Dan was a three-year starter at defensive back for Yale University.  After a successful playing career, including earning MVP honors in the Austrian Bowl Championship with the Graz Giants—where he also served as a player-coach—he returned to Yale as an Assistant Coach for defensive backs and Video Coordinator. With over 12 years of experience coaching youth and high school football, including flag and Bobcats tackle programs, Dan is known for his strong defensive acumen, player development skills, and passion for mentoring athletes on and off the field. 

OFFENSIVE QUALITY CONTROL - Cameron Schaefer grew up in Laramie, Wyoming, where he played quarterback for Laramie High School under the legendary Coach John Deti. Known for its old-school, smash-mouth style of football, Laramie’s offense demanded toughness, grit, and versatility from its quarterbacks—in his final two years at LHS, these qualities helped earn Cameron All-Conference honors and a trip with his team to the 4A State Championship. As a dual-threat quarterback in a run-heavy system, he developed a deep appreciation for disciplined, physical football.

He was recruited to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he played his freshman year before serving as a team manager under College Football Hall of Fame coach Fisher DeBerry. DeBerry, a triple-option specialist and three-time WAC Coach of the Year, led the Falcons with a hard-nosed, character-driven approach that deeply influenced Cameron’s coaching philosophy. Combined with the Academy’s reputation as the nation’s premier leadership laboratory, Cameron credits his time at the Academy and in the football program as foundational to who he is today.

After graduating in 2006 with a B.S. in Management, Cameron married his wife, Marelize, and served 8 years on active duty as a C-17 and MQ-1 pilot. He flew over 600 combat and combat support hours in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom before transitioning out of the military and settling in Louisville, Colorado. He and Marelize have three kids—Wallace, a student at Louisville Middle School, and Malone and Judah, who both attend Monarch High School.

Today, Cameron is honored to coach at Monarch and pour into the next generation of athletes and leaders, helping them grow in character, confidence, and commitment—on and off the field. In addition to coaching, he co-owns and operates companies in the organic agriculture and food space. 

INSIDE RECEIVERS - Coach Nai has coached football at both the high school and collegiate levels. He spent the past three seasons at Pacific University, serving as the Wide Receivers Coach and Co-Special Teams Coordinator. During his time at Pacific, he focused on player development, game preparation, and building a strong team culture. He brings a passion for the game and a commitment to helping athletes grow both on and off the field.

DEFENSIVE LINE - A native of St. Charles, Illinois, Coach Gabe Nyenhuis was a standout at St. Charles High School. He earned SuperPrep All-American honors and was twice selected First-Team All-State by the Chicago Tribune. As a senior, he recorded 76 tackles, including 31 for loss, and forced six fumbles. 

Before beginning his professional career, Coach Nyenhuis played at the University of Colorado after transferring from Northwestern. In 25 games for the Buffaloes, he recorded 85 tackles, eight sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 24 quarterback pressures, 10 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.

In 2010, Coach Nyenhuis led the AFL with 15.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles while playing for the Tulsa Talons, earning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award and First-Team All-Arena honors. He also spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Soul, helping the organization capture the 2008 ArenaBowl championship. During that championship season, he led the Soul in sacks, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles.

Nyenhuis also played for the San Jose SaberCats and spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Indianapolis Colts, as well as the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

TECHNOLOGY AND FILM COORDINATOR - Coach Brandon Watson has been coaching in BVSD since 2021. He has served as the assistant track and field coach at Peak to Peak since 2023 and joined the Monarch football staff in 2024 as Technology and Film Coordinator. As the assistant coach for field events at Peak to Peak, Coach Watson has taken 7 athletes to the CHSAA State Championship meet in 17 events. A lifelong athlete, Coach Watson has competed in multiple Ironman and half Ironman races, including the half Ironman World Championships, completed the Leadville 100 multiple times, as well as finished the Cape Epic and Swiss Epic mountain bike stage races. Coach Watson has a BS Econ and BAS Systems Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. In his previous life he was a senior product executive at Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle, and has been a successful founder of multiple software companies. For Monarch football, Coach Watson is responsible for week to week technology operations, which includes flying the drone for practices and games, running Hudl on game day, and building OfferSecured.com (a website for high school athletes on their recruiting journey). Coach Watson has been married to wife Christy for 24 years, and have 3 children who all attend/attended BVSD schools: Casseia (University of Michigan '27), Tai (United States Military Academy '30, Monarch football 2021-2024), and Riley (Peak to Peak '27).