On Nov. 11, varsity head coach Kevin Meyer informed the team that he would be stepping down with the conclusion of the 2024 football season, during which the Jags’ record was 4-7.
Meyer’s decision to step down came from a long-term goal made in his first interview.
“When I interviewed, I told them that my goal was four to five years, and it’s been really good,” Meyer said.
During the 2019 season, the Jags went 1-9, which caused the program to fire previous head coach Brain Tinker and eventually led to Meyer’s hiring.
Meyer was the head coach at Hillcrest High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he led the Knights to a 4A IHSAA (Idaho High School Athletic Association) State Championship in 2018 and continued to coach them until the end of the 2020 season.
Meyer started his tenure at Rock Canyon during the 2021 season with a 6-6 record. The Jags reached the 5A CHSAA (Colorado High School Athletic Association) playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season under coach Brian Lamb. Meyer continued to make the playoffs in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, where the Jags had an 8-4 record while losing in the second-round playoffs.
Meyer has obtained a total record of 26-21 within the last four years, putting him second in all-time wins throughout the program’s history. Previous head coach Tom Lynch, who coached from 2004-2013, holds first place with a record of 38-27.
“We had a great four years going 26 to 21. It was a program that was really down, and it took a lot to get to where we are now,” Meyer said.
Meyer reminisces on his first season as a head coach, recounting that it wasn’t always easy.
“The first year was interesting; we were struggling about halfway in the season, then [we] started clicking and from then on we couldn’t miss playoffs,” said Meyer.
Meyer plans to coach the track and field spring team for the next two years and continue teaching before retirement.
“[I am going to] spend more time with family and my grandkids; they’re back in Nebraska, which I can’t do during the season,” Meyer said.
Meyer is thankful for his coaching staff and players and leaves hopeful for the future.
“Thank you and go Jags,” Meyer said.
