Coach JT
Since 2014, I’ve been involved with TJ Soccer, beginning as the Head Coach for both the Girls and Boys JV teams. In 2018, I transitioned to the role of Boys Varsity Head Coach. As of the 2026 season, I’ll be entering my third year as the Girls Varsity Head Coach, having stepped down from the Boys program to focus solely on leading the Girls program.
In my first season with the Girls Varsity program, I was honored as the DPS City League Coach of the Year. In my second year, we made history by clinching a playoff berth — the program’s first in 12 years — marking a significant milestone for the team and school.
In addition to my work at TJ, I’ve recently taken on a new position with Colorado Select Soccer (Olympic Development Program) as the Assistant Coach for the 2009 Boys team. I currently hold a U.S. Soccer National “D” License and am actively pursuing my National “C” License to continue growing as a coach.
My coaching journey began at the age of 16 with Colorado Elite Soccer Club. As a player, I competed at the club level with Real Colorado and Rapids Academy and played for Douglas County High School. I went on to play four years of college soccer at Pacific Lutheran University in Washington State, where I also coached with Rainier Soccer Alliance, a local youth club.
Outside of coaching, I’m active in the weight room, enjoy time on the golf course, play indoor soccer, and am a dedicated Colorado Avalanche fan. While I’m not a teacher at TJHS, my professional career outside of soccer is in the Healthcare Tech industry.
Looking ahead, I’m incredibly excited to be focusing solely on the Girls program at TJ. Our coaching staff has big aspirations for the team, and we’re eager to see what the 2026 squad will accomplish as they write the next chapter in the program’s story.
Coach Sydney
This is my third-year coaching girls soccer, I am a TJ alumni and played soccer for TJ. I went to Gillette College in Wyoming to play soccer and basketball and was part of the team that won regionals and made it to nationals. I then transferred to Adams State to continue playing soccer while getting my degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Cultural Linguistic Diversity. When I graduated college, I went and taught abroad in Honduras for a year while getting my master's degree in Curriculum Instruction. I currently teach first grade at Place Bridge Academy. When I am not coaching or teaching, I enjoy traveling, fitness, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Coach Stephenson
Hello, I’m coach Stephenson! I am a teacher at TJ and have been the Head JV coach for the girls soccer program since the 2018-2019 season. Coach JT asked me to stay on the staff when he came to head the program a few years ago, and I was happy to accept and stay with the program. I played club soccer growing up for the Colorado Rush, which incidentally is where I got my start coaching. I coached club soccer for Rush for 6 seasons prior to coming to TJ, and am going into what will be my 8th season this year. I love to teach the game to players of all levels, which is why I like my place as JV coach. I’m looking forward to building on the momentum we’ve built over the last two years, and look forward to fighting for a winning record, while also giving players plenty of game time to build towards making it on the varsity team.
Coach OT
Coach JT invited me to join the Boys TJ Soccer Program in 2018 as the Assistant Varsity Coach. I hold a U.S. Soccer National “D” License and began my coaching career in Washington State in 1982. During my time there, I was also a certified referee.
Since relocating to Colorado in 1989, I’ve coached both boys and girls with organizations including the Littleton Bombers (now Littleton United), Real Colorado, and Colorado Elite. In 1999, I was honored as the Colorado Boys Developmental Coach of the Year. More recently, in 2024, I received the CHSCA award for “Outstanding Assistant Coach in the Sport of Soccer.” Prior to joining the TJ program, my coaching experience was entirely within club soccer.
As a player, I competed at the club level in Washington and played high school soccer at Thomas Jefferson High School (Auburn, WA), followed by collegiate soccer at Green River College. After the NASL folded, I played semi-professionally with the Seattle Storm in the West Coast Alliance. Upon moving to Colorado, I was invited to join the Colorado Foxes but declined due to family commitments.
Though I don’t teach at TJHS, I am actively involved in the community and own several companies in the healthcare technology sector.
Coach Nate
I was invited by Coach JT to join the girls’ soccer program as the Goalkeeper Coach in the spring of 2025. This will be my second season coaching and developing goalkeepers.
I am a TJHS alumni, having played for the boys’ varsity program from 2016–2018, as well as at the high school club level with the Colorado Rapids. I currently compete at a semi-competitive level in a coed indoor league.
In addition to coaching, I work in the geotechnical engineering field while pursuing a certificate in drone piloting at Metropolitan State University.
Coach Brian
I am a 19-year-old volunteer soccer coach and proud Thomas Jefferson High School alumnus who played varsity soccer from 2022 to 2024. During my time with the program, I gained experience playing nearly every position on the field, which gave me a strong understanding of the game from multiple perspectives. I also competed at the club level with Colorado Skyline for several seasons, further developing my technical skills and tactical awareness.
In addition to playing, I served as the Girls Soccer Student Team Manager during the 2024 season, where I discovered a passion for coaching and supporting players. That experience led me to join the program as a volunteer coach during the 2026 season.
Outside of coaching, I continue to play indoor and outdoor soccer in local leagues throughout Colorado. I am very outdoors-oriented, enjoy all sports, and love road trips, adventures, and exploring new places. I also work as a Field Engineer in the construction industry while pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering and Business Management at the Community College of Denver.