Story Written By: Damon Cook @ CHSAANow.com
AURORA, Colo. — Brett Mertens and his squad are off to an 8-0 start for the first time since 2021. A big reason for that is the Red Hawks' offense, which has put up more than 30 points in all eight games.
Although Mertens leads the team by title, he emphasized the importance of his players and support staff, giving them all the credit. A true team effort from Montrose has the team in good position for the rest of the season.
Brett Mertens
All-Time Coaching Record: 87-36
Record at Montrose: 71-18
Previous Coaching Experience: Lincoln Lutheran (8th Grade Football), Crean Lutheran (High School Football), Montrose (High School Football)
How do you feel your team has achieved an 8-0 start this season?
I'm really proud of our boys for buying into the team atmosphere and working hard in the offseason to prepare for this year. We graduated a fair number of kids last year, so many players needed to step up. It was fun to watch them grow throughout the offseason. The stability of our school and program has been a major factor, thanks to our supportive administration and a great group of assistant coaches who have been with me for a long time. This stability allows kids to thrive.
What made you want to become a coach?
I fell in love with football while playing in high school at Merino High School in northeast Colorado. We had a great program and coaching staff, and I was fortunate enough to win a state championship my senior year. It was during that season that I decided I wanted to pursue teaching and coaching, so I got some good advice and earned a teaching degree.
Has your background in playing eight-man football helped you in coaching 11-man football?
As a player, you don't realize how much there is to learn about football until you start coaching. All of my coaching experience has been in 11-man football. Over the years — this is my 17th year — I've learned a lot from great coaches around the state and country. Being open to learning new things each year has been beneficial for my development as a coach.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your coaching career?
As I've gotten older, I worry less about X's and O's and more about building relationships and creating a positive culture. I trust my assistant coaches to handle the tactical side of things, which has been a positive change for our program.
How important is building a positive culture for your program?
I believe that without a positive culture, nothing else matters. It's the most important factor for a successful program. I experienced this as a player and as a head coach, so I work every day to create that culture. While I'm not perfect, I strive to treat people how we would want to be treated.
Has there been a standout moment during your undefeated season?
Beating a really good Mesa Ridge team was a fun night for us, and the kids were super excited about it. This group is really enjoyable to coach; they work hard and have a blue-collar mentality.
What have your players taught you over the years?
I've made many mistakes throughout my career. The way the kids react to those situations teaches me whether I handled things correctly. I've learned to pay attention to their attitudes and body language, focusing on ensuring they're bought into our program and working hard.
What would you like people to know about the Montrose football program?
I want to emphasize that any recognition I receive is not just about me; it's a team effort. Credit goes to the boys for playing hard and winning games. I also want to mention a few key assistant coaches: Jake Appling, our offensive coordinator, and co-defensive coordinators Kurt Scriffiny and Alex Matlock. They've been with me for eight years and are the backbone of our staff.
