Niwot pitching coach Colin York takes head job at Frederick

After spending two years as head coach of Niwot’s junior varsity baseball team and two years as NHS varsity pitching coach, Colin York’s Niwot reign came to a close in October as he accepted the head baseball coaching position at Frederick High School.

“I am incredibly excited for him,” said Niwot head coach Adam Strah. “I think he's going to do a great job. I think he's ready.”

York’s ability to be a rock for Niwot was one of his best attributes according to Strah. A constant and calm presence isn’t a bad trait to have in this chaotic year.

“(He) just brought a lot of stability there at the top and consistency,” Strah said. “His job allowed him to be an everyday guy for us and sometimes it's hard to find that with assistants, [where] their job allows them to be there all day every day, and he was one of those guys.” York works in the administrative offices for the St. Vrain Valley School District by day.

Prior to arriving at Niwot, York coached for a local summer club team which included Niwot players, the Colorado Twins, and served as the varsity pitching coach at Boulder High School. A graduate of Skyline High School where he played under NHS alum Mike Hoog, York also played collegiate baseball at Southern New Hampshire University. Strah said that York excelled at working with all talent levels and could relate well with his players.

In a letter to Frederick High School, York expressed his to desire to share his baseball knowledge with his new program.

“During my time as player and coach, I’ve learned many valuable lessons from each and every coach that I have come across on my journey,” York wrote. “As head coach for the Frederick Warrior Baseball Program, I’m excited to pass along many of those same valuable lessons to make each student athlete better, on and off the field.”

Niwot assistant coach Bruce (Biff) Warren, who assisted York with the JV program, echoed Strah when he praised York’s ability to relate to players and passion for the game. Warren saw York’s passion for coaching arise during a program-wide speech York delivered last spring at Niwot before the season was shut down.

“It was one of the most emotional speeches I've ever heard from a coach,” Warren said. “He just talked about his background, the struggles that he had as a college player, how much he loved the game (and) why he was coaching these kids. I think he'll do really well in his new position as the head coach over at Frederick.”

York will be taking over for former Warriors’ head coach Nathan Howell, who left Frederick because of health concerns. Howell was 1-0 in a coronavirus-shortened 2020 season and is now the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Otero Junior College in La Junta.

Looking ahead for Niwot, Strah’s focus has shifted to finding “the best qualified [coach] and best fit for our program” to replace York. Niwot is no stranger to seeing talented assistant coaches assume head coaching roles. York joins former Niwot assistant coaches Mike Newton (Erie), Jack Taylor (Boulder) and Strah himself who have ascended to head baseball coaching positions after spending time as assistants with the Niwot program. Niwot softball head coach Bobby Matthews is another local coach who started as an assistant baseball coach at NHS.