"The most important work we do as coaches is to build leaders of the future.””

Coach Craig Ball

Hats Coach Ball wore over the years

-Assistant MS Football Coach under Coach Hanson

-Assistant MS Wrestling Coach under Coach McClain

-Assistant  MS Track Coach under Coach Donaldson

-Assistant HS Football Coach under Coach Goodlett

-Assistant HS Track Coach under Coach Van Hoose

-Head HS Football Coach

-Head HS Wrestling Coach

-Head HS Track Coach

GILPIN COUNTY — Gilpin Eagles computer science teacher and coach Craig Ball handed in his resignation after 15 years of service to the school and community.

Craig Ball’s announcement on July 24:

I officially filed for my public-school retirement today and will be handing over the reins of the Gilpin Football Program to one of my former football players. I will be making a transition into my new role as the full time Executive Director of The All-State Foundation to advance the work we do for the broader small-town 8-Man Football Programs across the State of Colorado.

If anyone has ever spent time around me as a coach, you will hear me talk about the importance of traditions. For me, Gilpin County is a special place in the mountains and I have been waiting for someone to emerge as a new leader of the football team and someone that I knew would love the boys and this community as much as I do.

A moment on the sidelines during a night game at Gilpin County Stadium.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG BALL

When you think of Gilpin County, the Lorenz name is a cornerstone. So, when Coach Will Lorenz made a commitment to me and the Gilpin Football Program, I started the process of transferring the program over to him to allow for a smooth transition into his hands.
Coach Will Lorenz played for me at Gilpin, and went on to have a full collegiate career as a baseball player.

Coach Will Lorenz served as the Head Gilpin Basketball Coach last season and I got to see his commitment to the boys and loved to watch his coaching style. His brother Eryk also played in the program here at Gilpin and his dad, Coach Tony Lorenz, has been a longtime baseball coach at the school and also served as a football coach for me as an assistant over the years.

I am excited to see what Coach Lorenz builds as he takes on his new role as the leader of the Gilpin Football Program. All my coaches from the last two years (DC, OL, DL, LB, Receivers and DBs) have committed to coach with Coach Lorenz in the 2026 season, giving him the coaches that were responsible for posting 13 wins over the last two seasons.

Over the years in a small school as a coach you are asked to wear multiple hats. When I first started volunteering and helping up at the school back in 2011 with an overarching goal of spending more time with my own three kids at the school, I could not have dreamed of the gift coaching would bring to me and my family.

Providing guidance for 15 years at Gilpin High School.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG BALL

I've had the time of my life over the last 15 years and I will always be thankful for all the support I've received from this community, for the coaching brotherhood I developed with the over 20 assistant coaches that have helped me build these athletic programs, my Athletic Director Coach Shoe and Dr. MacKenzie for first giving me the chance to lead our young men and women of our community.

During those 15 years I also produced 12 years’ worth of yearbooks and took two groups of kids to Europe with Coach Bayne. You gain so much energy and pride when surrounded by young people and I plan on continuing my work to develop the next generation of leaders in communities across the State as the leader of The Foundation I formed back in 2019.

I'm now going to focus to bring my love, joy, talents and energy in a state wide effort to build an endowment that supports coaches and programs across the State of Colorado through The Foundation. My goal is to make a difference that lasts and make an investment that reaches far into our future.

I talk about why 8-Man Football is so important to me and our small-town communities in a new book that I just published on Amazon that you guys can read for free on my All-State Football website. allstatefootball.org/aplacewhereleadersarebuilt Check it out if you want to know more about why I do what I do in developing The Foundation.

Here are a few of the highlights from my time at Gilpin County Football I often like to think about:

7 Gilpin players selected to the All-State Game
A #1 rushing leader in the State
A #1 placement for total team offensive yards in the State
A #1 receiver in the State
A #1 interceptions leader in the State
2 Central League coach of the year awards

To see these kids grow up to become fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, and leaders in our community is something special. After all, the most important work we do as coaches is to build leaders of the future.
If you want to join my team in my next quest to build a small-town 8-Man football foundation, go to allstatefootball.org and take a look at what we're creating, and reach out to me. I've got a spot for you on my new team.

Wish me luck on my new quest and know that I will never forget what Gilpin County has given me.

Forever, Coach Ball

His leadership, integrity, and devotion will be missed.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG BALL

A view from a fan

In the seven years I’ve spent covering Gilpin sports, Craig was my favorite contact. A pleasure to work with, even with his busy schedule, he always made himself available by phone to answer any questions that I may have had in regard to a game or meet.

Our Sunday morning discussions about that week’s football game should have only taken 20 minutes. Instead, they often lasted an hour because of our mutual fondness of football. I’ll miss those conversations and having Craig as coach of the Eagles’ football and track teams.

Special teams coach under Ball from 2013 through 2019, Clinton Wenholz probably put it best with his letter to Craig in a Facebook post: “It’s difficult to articulate the gratitude and appreciation I have for your years of unwavering commitment to Gilpin County and the countless lives you’ve touched through its sports programs. Your dedication went far beyond wins and losses—you invested your time, energy, and heart into building young athletes into confident, respectful, and resilient individuals.

“The impact you’ve had on this community will be felt for generations, not only through the athletes you coached but through the culture of encouragement, accountability, and pride that you helped create. Gilpin County is a better place because of your service, and so many young people have had opportunities and experiences they otherwise may never have had because you cared enough to give so much of yourself.

“On a personal level, I want to thank you for the years we spent coaching side by side. It was an honor to stand on the sidelines with someone whose passion and character set such a high standard. I learned more from you than you probably realize—not just about coaching, but about leadership, patience, and what it means to truly show up for others. Through long practices, tough seasons, and unforgettable victories, your friendship and mentorship left a lasting impression on me.

“The memories we shared and the lessons I learned from you are things I will carry with me forever. Thank you for your dedication, your example, and the profound impact you have had on both my life and the lives of so many others. Your legacy is one that will never be forgotten.”