AURORA | Vista PEAK’s traction in Class 4A boys basketball will have to continue without Josh Brenning as head coach.
Brenning — who led the Bison to a 19-6 record in the 2013-14 season — resigned from his post on Thursday, citing his need for a teaching position at the school that has not materialized in the past two years.
“I just want to thank them for the opportunity; it’s disappointing they weren’t able to come up with a teaching position,” Brenning said shortly after turning in his keys.
In their first season as a varsity program — 2012-13 — the Bison went 9-15 under Brenning, but made a huge jump during the 2013-14 campaign. With a defensive-minded focus, Vista PEAK won the Colorado 7 championship and earned its way into the top 10 in the Associated Press’ 4A rankings, then advanced to 4A’s Sweet 16 before a 78-44 loss to eventual 4A state champion Pueblo East.
Though two key players gradated in high-scoring guard Romello Washington — an Aurora Sentinel All-City Boys Basketball first team pick — and defensive stalwart Ayo Sanusi, the Bison figured to make a run at the 4A level in the 2014-15 season.
With expected returning talents in seniors Noah Butler and Isaiah Young, junior Alex Hawkins and others, Vista PEAK should still be a strong force in the Colorado 7 conference and in 4A, but will have to do it under new leadership.
Finding a new boys basketball coach now is one of the first orders of business for the school’s new recently-hired athletic director.
Vista PEAK’s previous director of athletics, Craig Lyle, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Brenning said he doesn’t have any other jobs on the horizon, but plans to “lay low” and see if anything opens up at a school with a teaching position before the winter season. If all else fails, he may try to find a job as an assistant coach.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel