At 66 years old, Don Story is still going strong.
The former pre-law college student has coached high school sports for 45 years and shows no signs of letting up.
This Story still has chapters remaining. But the new chapters will be in a different location.
Born and raised in Cortez, Story is a legend in these parts. He graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 1962 and was a member of the Colorado 2A state champion Panthers basketball team that year.
From 1974 to 2010, Story was an educator and coach at both Dolores High School and M-CHS, and coached multiple sports at each school during that time. Story won numerous conference titles for DHS and M-CHS and has seen thousands of students grow and mature into adults. Those students include his two children, Scott Story, who is now the principal at Newcomb (N.M.) High School and Staci Gallaher, now the dean of students at DHS.
Most recently, Story led the Dolores Bears football program from 1999-2010 and turned them into winners. He compiled a 62-33 record, won four Southern Peaks League titles and made the playoffs eight times. But earlier this summer, the legend made a surprising coaching decision to leave the Dolores program.
Yeah, Ive been around a while, but the last 11 years in Dolores have just been some of the most enjoyable years Ive ever spent coaching. Thats the hardest coaching decision Ive ever had to make, Story said. There was just tremendous support over there and we had a good program. It was great. The kids were great. The parents were great. Everything.
Story will now take his love of high school sports and coaching to New Mexico.
Storys coaching journey began at the University of Colorado on a baseball scholarship. But he soon realized CU law wasnt for him and decided to become a teacher and coach.
Athletics has always been a big part of my life, Story said. I played three sports growing up. Thats what I wanted to do.
COLLEGE THEN A JOB IN CANADA
The Cortez native transferred to Colorado State College (Now the University of Northern Colorado) in Greeley and earned a bachelors degree in physical education in 1966. After graduation, Don Story and his college sweetheart turned wife, Sandy, now married for 46 years, moved north. Storys education and coaching career spanning more than four decades and nine U.S. presidents began way north, in Alberta, Canada. He even coached sports such as badminton and curling in Alberta before quickly relocating to sunny Southern California the next year coaching American Legion baseball.
The Storys went back to Greeley in 1969 where Don completed a masters degree. That following year, he got his first taste of Colorado coaching at Norwood High School. Story was busy, coaching football, boys basketball and baseball. Norwood was the beginning of nearly 25, 20 and 12 years of coaching high school baseball, football, and girls and boys basketball in the Centennial State.
Story had thoughts of taking his expertise to the college level early in his career, but simply couldnt leave the high school game.
Originally, my intention was to get to the college level coaching. Its probably better on my family I didnt. I would have had to move a 100 times, Story said. They (high school kids) keep me young. Being around them every day, and seeing them grow and mature, and become better players, I think help keeps me young.
A NEW CHAPTER
When Story returned to Montezuma County, he coached girls basketball at Dolores for six years. Story also served as principal and a counselor at DHS. Story eventually made it back to his Alma Mater of M-CHS in 1980 and coached baseball for eight years and girls basketball for seven, while teaching in the science department.
With his coaching roots firmly cemented in Montezuma County, why leave?
I couldnt take another job in Colorado without stopping my (teaching) retirement. I had to come across the state line and it just happened to all fall together. I just couldnt turn it down. Im only going to coach just a little while longer, Story said.
Story was named the head football coach at New Mexicos Shiprock High School in early August. He will also teach P.E. and weight training. Story says the move is very good financially and perhaps more importantly, he still gets to continue what he loves. Coaching high school kids.
The kids attitude is terrific. Ive got a good coaching staff and the kids are just great, Story said about coaching the Chieftains. Theyve been real successful the last two years. Its not like Im having to turn anything around. I just build on whats already been going. The administration here has been very supportive. Im looking forward to a good year.
In terms of continuing to lead the Chieftains football program, Story, right now, is just going with the flow.
At this point, Im thinking one year at a time, he said. As long as Im healthy and feeling good, Ill stick with it. At this point in my career after 40 something years, Im just going one year at a time.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at [email protected].
