Jaron Cohen

Jaron Cohen accepted the Head Varsity Coaching position at Ponderosa in February 2014. Originally from Newington, CT,  Coach Cohen has been a teacher and coach for the past 19 years, starting as the JV coach at Spackenkill HS (NY) while he was student teaching during his undergraduate work at Marist College. Coach Cohen entered Marist as a Linebacker until a neck injury discovered after his freshman year ending his playing days.Upon leaving Marist with a B.A. in History and Secondary Education, Coach Cohen completed his graduate work at Springfield College (MA), earning a Masters in Educational Studies.

During his 10 years at Ponderosa, the Mustangs have won 72 games while only losing 29. In his first year as Head Coach of the Mustangs, Coach Cohen led Ponderosa to the Plains Conference League Championship and a berth in the 4A state playoffs. As a reflection of the hard work of the entire coaching staff, he was named Plains League Coach of the Year for 2014. In his second year, Ponderosa finished the regular season 8-2 and earned a berth into the 4A State Playoffs. Multiple players were named to the All League team, including the Conference MVP for the second year in a row (2014 James Maxie, 2015 Matt Brady).in 2016 the Mustangs won their league again, set school records for points scored and allowed, and he earned the Foothills League coach of the year.  Three Mustangs earned entry into the All State game, and Ponderosa advanced to the Quarter Finals. In 2017, Coach Cohen led the Mustangs to a 9-2 record and they held the #1 ranking for several weeks during the year. The  2018 season saw Ponderosa go 10-3 and reach the state semifinals for the first time since 2003. Coach was recognized as a Denver Broncos Coach of the Week after defeating #1 ranked Montrose in week 9 and the 4A Metro League Coach of the Year, which the Mustangs won by going 5-0 in league. In 2019, the Mustangs made the 4A State Playoffs for the 6th consecutive year, and made it to the Quarterfinals. During the 2019 campaign, Coach Cohen won his 50th game as the Ponderosa Head Coach and was also recognized as the 4A Metro League Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.  In 2020, Ponderosa went 6-0 in the Regular Season and was one of only 8 teams to make the 4A State playoffs, and Coach was recognized as the Western Conference Coach of the Year by his peers. During the 2021 season, Coach Cohen won his 100th career game as a Head Coach. In 2022 the Pride of Parker trophy was returned to PHS, with the Mustangs defeating Legend and Chaparral.

He began his teaching and coaching career at Windsor HS (CT) as an Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator, from 2002-2004, where his teams won Conference championships (2002, 2003), made the state finals (2002), and the semi finals (2003). in 2003 the Windsor Warriors allowed the second least points in the entire state. During his time at Windsor, he coached 3 players that played in the NFL, Chris Baker (Redskins/Bucs), Terrance Knighton (Broncos/Redskins)., and Damik Scafe (Chargers).

In 2005, Coach Cohen accepted the Head Coaching position at Rockville HS (CT) where his team finished 2nd in conference in his final year, which is still the highest standing the Rams have had since 2000. The Rams also won the Thanksgiving Day Rivalry game for the only time since 2000 and for this he was recognized with a Mayor’s Commendation. During his time at Rockville, his players received scholarships to FCS schools and opportunities at Division 3 institutions. The collective GPA of his team was the highest it had been in the decade which he is extremely proud of. Coach Cohen also worked at several college camps, including two summers at Boston College.

In 2008, Coach Cohen moved to Colorado Springs and became the Head Coach at Liberty High School, where the Lancers were able to break an 18 game losing streak in his first game as Head Coach, and by year two Liberty won the Foothills Conference title with a record of 9-1, for the only time in school history. He received 5A/4A Colorado Springs Gazette Coach of the Year in 2009 and Denver Post Coach of the Week. He left Liberty in 2013 with the all time highest winning percentage of any Lancer coach and took over as the Head Coach of the Hinkley Thunderbirds in Aurora. While at Liberty, he had several players receive scholarships to continue playing at various RMAC schools. and coached current Denver Bronco Andrew Beck.

Hinkley finished the year 5-5, and reduced their points allowed by half while doubling their points scored. Hinkley had not won over 3 games in over a decade, and the Thunderbirds qualified for the 5A State Playoffs for the first time since 2008. For the turnaround, Coach was named Aurora 6 Conference Coach of the Year. One of his athletes received a scholarship to an RMAC school and one to an NAIA institution, which had not occurred at HInkley in quite some time.

He has been published in a variety of coaching publications, including American Football Monthly and the AFCA Technical Manual, and has also produced instructional DVD’s for Coaches Choice and been a presenter at CHSCA,  Glazier and Nike Coach of Year clinics.

During Coach Cohen’s career, he has been extremely proud of his student-athletes success both on the field and in the classroom, and has been fortunate to coach players that have played at all levels of college football and professionally.

Coach Cohen is married to Carrie and the proud father of two young sons, Henry and Leo and lives in Parker. He teaches a variety of Physical Education classes at Ponderosa.