Story Written by: Christopher Simmons @ CHSAANow.com

AURORA – Denver North's flag football program, which has steadily built a strong foundation in recent years, is off to an impressive start in 2025. The Vikings currently sit at 8-2, powered by an explosive ground attack and a stingy defense.

In recognition of his leadership and success, head coach AJ Carter has been named CHSAA's Denver Broncos High School Flag Coach of the Week.

Throughout the season, there will be a weekly Broncos Coach of the Week for flag and tackle and every nominee will be recognized on-field at a Broncos home game.

Interview with AJ Carter:

What is your coaching background – where else have you coached and what other sports?

AC: My first experience coaching came right after high school. I went back to my alma mater, Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida, to help coach wrestling, my primary sport, and diving for the swim and dive team. I had been the only diver when I competed there, so when I returned, I was really the only person available to coach it. If I hadn't stepped in, the school's divers would have had to travel to a private coach, so I wanted to give them that opportunity. Later, I got into coaching through rock climbing. The gym I trained at asked me to help with its youth program, which at the time was just five or six kids, almost more like a daycare. Over time, that small program grew into a three-tier system with over 120 kids. I coached the highest-level team and served as program coordinator. During that time, we sent multiple athletes to nationals in rock climbing, which was an amazing experience.

What is your coaching style?

AC: I describe my coaching style as being focused on bringing out the best in each individual athlete while teaching them to remain team-oriented. My job is to maximize an athlete's potential and what they can achieve, while also ensuring they understand their role within the team. That approach really comes from my high school diving coach. At the time, I was paying out of pocket for private lessons because my school didn't have a diving coach. When my coach found out, he told me I didn't need to pay any more. He would take me in, coach me, and even involve me in helping younger divers. That compassion and focus on the individual, more than just the success of a program, has stayed with me and shaped my own philosophy. So now, my style is simple: push each athlete to reach their full potential while reminding them it's their responsibility to also bring the best out of their teammates.

What is the culture of your program and how are you developing and enhancing it?

AC: The culture of our program is rooted in effort, not results. I tell my athletes constantly: focus on the attempt, not the outcome. When athletes are result-driven, they can become fearful, afraid to make mistakes, afraid to try. If the only goal is to win, they might cut corners, give up when facing a stronger team, or play down to a weaker opponent. Instead, our goal every day is to set and achieve small, meaningful improvements: be a better teammate, be more coachable, build confidence, be kinder to yourself and others, and give more effort than yesterday. When we do that, winning becomes a byproduct of our daily growth. In flag football specifically, there are always mistakes like dropped passes, especially as players are learning. I focus on whether they ran the right route, got open, and executed the play correctly. If the effort and decision-making were right, I consider it a success, even if the result wasn't perfect. That's the culture we're building.

How have you seen flag football grow as a sport during your time at Denver North?

AC: The growth has been incredible. My first season, flag football was just a club sport in Colorado. We barely had enough players to field a team, I was literally recruiting in the hallways, asking anyone willing to try, even students who had never played a sport before. We had maybe nine or 10 consistent athletes that year, but they stuck with it and grew so much. The very next season, we had enough for both JV and varsity with 24 athletes total. This year, we've grown again to 33 athletes across two levels. Unfortunately, due to field space and coaching limits, we've even had to make cuts, which I don't enjoy because I want to provide opportunities for as many athletes as possible. Still, going from nine players to more than 30 in just two years shows how quickly the sport is growing and how much interest there is among our students.

How has introducing the sport and teaching the game gone with your players?

AC: It's been eye-opening in the best way. For many of our athletes, this is the first time they've played football, and sometimes even their first time in any sport. That means I've had to go back to the absolute basics. I remember teaching a comeback route and realizing I never specified how far back to cut, they thought it meant running all the way back to the quarterback. Those moments reminded me to slow down and teach from square one. What has impressed me most is how quickly our female athletes pick it up once you lay the foundation. Their progression is phenomenal. Players who had never caught or thrown a football last year are now running complex routes, understanding coverages, and executing plays at a high level. Watching that growth, and their dedication to learning, has been one of the most rewarding parts of coaching flag football.

You're 8-2 this season after going 8-8 last year. What has led to that step forward?

AC: Last year was a true building year. Many of our players were brand new, they had never pulled a flag, caught a pass, or learned coverage. We started the season 0-5, which was tough, but the team showed incredible resilience. They didn't blame each other or themselves, and they stayed positive and committed. That commitment carried into the offseason and the girls trained throughout the summer, got faster and stronger, and fully bought into the program. Coming into this season, we weren't starting from scratch anymore, we already had a foundation. Their hard work and dedication are why we've been able to improve so much and already match last year's win total with games still left to play.

What are your goals for the rest of the season?

AC: My main goal is to maximize what my athletes are capable of, whatever that looks like in terms of wins and losses. More importantly, I want them to leave this program as better people, not just better athletes. If my players don't walk away with more confidence, stronger character, and the ability to positively impact those around them, then I haven't done my job, regardless of the scoreboard. I know this group is capable of great things, so my focus is on helping them reach that potential and celebrating whatever success comes with it.