Growing the Game: The View from Colorado with Coach Greg Johnson, Ralston Valley HS, Colorado

Thanks for joining the inaugural episode of She Plays Flag! In this conversation, Coach Greg Johnson discusses his journey as the head coach of Ralston Valley High School's girls flag football team in Colorado. He shares insights on building the program from scratch, the growth of girls flag football in the state, and the importance of fostering a positive environment for athletes. Coach Johnson emphasizes the need for patience, communication, and respect among players, coaches, and parents. He also highlights the future of girls flag football, including recruiting opportunities and the potential for the sport to grow nationally.TakeawaysRalston Valley High School has a strong athletic reputation.The girls flag football program has seen significant growth in Colorado.Building a program from scratch requires patience and dedication.Communication with athletes and parents is crucial for success.Girls flag football is gaining recognition and support at the state level.The structure of high school flag football in Colorado includes two divisions: 4A and 5A.Recruiting for girls flag football is evolving with more opportunities available.Coaches should focus on building trust and respect with their players.The future of girls flag football looks promising with potential for college scholarships.Creating a positive environment is essential for the growth of the sport.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ralston Valley High School and Coach Johnson12:15 Building the Flag Football Program from Scratch22:38 Challenges and Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado24:17 Coaching Challenges and Volunteer Support25:58 Training the Next Generation of Coaches28:30 Building a Flag Football Community29:35 Developing Youth Programs and Camps30:54 The Importance of a Strong Pipeline31:45 Differences Between Freshmen and Upperclassmen37:06 Structure of High School Girls Flag Football in Colorado44:00 Future of Girls Flag Football in Colorado50:16 The Joy of Watching Daughters Play Football54:37 Pathways for Girls in Football After High School01:00:55 Navigating the Recruiting Landscape01:05:15 Advice for New Coaches in Flag Football01:14:34 Building a Positive Culture in Sports