Longmont High Scores Third Football Coach in Over Half-Century
Coach Graff Challenges Players to Commit to Hard Work and Elevate the Program
Longmont High School (LHS) football hired its third head coach in over 50 years, just months after Doug Johnson’s resignation at the end of the fall 2024 season, concluding his 25-year stint.
Taking the reins is newly appointed head coach Jordan Graff, who served as Erie High School’s defensive coordinator for three seasons.
Graff spoke before football families and potential players on Wednesday night, January 22, introducing himself and outlining his philosophy on how he plans to hit the ground running this week, now that he’s set his feet.
“It’s great to be here. It truly is an honor and a privilege to take over this football program,” Graff said. “If you have two coaches for 50 years, that means that you have two things: you have really good football coaches, and you have a great community… As I went through the interview process, it was clear to me that this was a place that wants to be competitive, and wants to win football games, and that’s where I want to be.”
Graff began by emphasizing that he wants to move Longmont’s football program forward and build upon the legacy of its two longtime head coaches. He acknowledged that change can be challenging, but he believes success requires a process-oriented approach and the buy-in of both players and the community.
“Everything I do is going to be about moving us forward as a program. Things are going to be different because I’m different,” Graff said. “Change is going to be hard in some places, and there’s going to be some challenges, but I know what it takes to be successful because I’ve been around some really highly successful programs.”
Graff grew up in Buena Vista, Colorado, playing under a coach who strongly influenced his outlook on life and football. He started his teaching and coaching career at Simla High School on the eastern plains of Colorado coaching eight-man football, then moved to Erie, where he became the head C-team coach and later the defensive coordinator.
Graff underlined the importance of developing a competitive culture at every level—C-team, JV, and varsity—and drew upon his own coaching journey to illustrate how he plans to guide the Trojans to success.
“I can stand up here and tell these guys and all of you, we’re gonna go win a state championship. That’s a meaningless thing to say,” Graff said. “What we have to focus on is what is the process that actually builds championship culture, and I have seen that up close. And so, it starts, of course, in the weight room, but it starts with a mentality switch. We’re not going to focus on outcomes. What we’ll focus on are the things that are needed to be successful on the football field, and everything is going to start in the weight room.”
Graff highlighted programs like Erie High School and Palmer Ridge, tough teams, noting they’ve established strong cultures centered around fitness and weightlifting.
“If we build this culture, okay, the success will follow, but it has to start with that process,” Graff said about the importance of showing up in the weight room at 6 a.m. every morning. “If we want to have the outcomes, it has to follow from the process. Okay, all right, so that’s the weight room. That’s going to start February 3. So that’s the week after next.”
As the evening drew to a close, Graff offered parting thoughts on the work ethic and dedication he expects from his future players and the broader Longmont community.
“The great thing about coming to coach in Longmont is you guys already know what it takes to be successful,” Graff said. “You have a great football program here. You have a great basketball program, track program. You’ve been around championship programs. So, you know what it takes.”
Graff concluded with confidence that, if his players and community fully commit to a rigorous offseason process, Longmont can build on its strong athletic tradition and reach the highest levels of success in football.
“My promise to you guys is this: I will work harder than any coach you’ve ever had. If you give me some effort back, you’ll get benefits out of it. Okay, I’ll be here as much as you want, as often as you want, and we will work as hard as you guys want to,” Graff said to the back of the LHS Commons, addressing 30-plus football players. “We’ll have outcomes that you want, but you have to put in the work. Me being up here by myself at 6 a.m. does nothing. If I got this group here, people better watch out, because there are some bad-looking dudes here. But we gotta work, and you gotta get other people here.”
Makes you excited for the new season.