AURORA | Chris Lopez will be a head football coach for the first time, but he certainly will not enter his new post at Rangeview High School needing introductions.
Lopez — who was officially announced as the program’s new head coach earlier this week — was the defensive coordinator last season on the staff of former coach Chris Dixon and a defensive assistant the year before that, which, coupled with two years as a physical education teacher in the building, gets him off to a huge start.
“It’s a huge advantage, knowing the kids and spending the last two years in the classroom with them as well,” Lopez told the Sentinel. “Knowing the community and administration is a big help. …I’m excited for the opportunity and excited to build up the program with our kids.”
Athletic director Erick Swanson announced back in December that Dixon had decided not to return as head coach “to concentrate on his responsibilities as Dean and Athletic Director at Columbia Middle School and his family commitments.”
Swanson also thanked Dixon— who had a record of 10-20 over three seasons, including a 4-6 mark in 2024 — for his “dedication, effort and commitment to our program.”
The school’s coaching search landed on Lopez, who will be the fourth coach for the Raiders in a six-season span following Brandon Alconcel, who left after the 2019 season and is still around locally at Smoky Hill, Mike Holmes (who coached in the spring and fall of 2021 before he departed) and Dixon.
Lopez will turn 39 years old before the 2025 season begins in August and is ready for his first opportunity to lead a program.
“I never really thought is it too soon or not soon enough,” Lopez said of when his first chance to be a head coach came. “I’m a strong believer in faith and that we’re put in specific situations for a specific reason. …At the time this job was available, it was the right fit for me and I think for the community as well.”
Lopez has coached in some capacity with a variety of prep programs in the Metro area and counts some of the most impactful figures during his stops as former Brighton coach Patrick Sandoval, former Westminster coach Kerry Denison and former Overland coach Steve Sewell. He also lists time as an offensive graduate assistant at the University of Northern Colorado.
Rangeview graduates some impactful seniors, but Lopez noted the large numbers of sophomores and juniors on both side of the ball that got experience in 2024, which he believes will be important next season. Among the Raiders’ 5A Front Range South League all-conference selections, senior-to-be Tyson Tuck was a second team pick as an all-purpose offensive player.
“The guys who are leaving, we’re going to miss, but the kids that are coming up had some quality playing time and I feel like like they are eager and hungry,” Lopez said.
Lopez will be far from the only few face on the sidelines among members of the 5A Front Range South League next season. Of the six teams in the conference, only league champion Erie and runner-up Mullen will have the same coaches. Per Coloradopreps.com, Horizon has hired Bill Nelson, while Legacy and Vista PREP Prep still have unfilled openings.
Locally, Vista PEAK Prep (to replace Mike Campbell, who resigned midway through the season) and Hinkley (to replace Dennis York) remain in the search for new head coaches.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
