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Willowridge coach Chinyoung takes job with NFL’s Broncos
When he picked up his oldest son R.J. from elementary school Tuesday, Ramon Chinyoung handed him a Denver Broncos hat. That’s when it all hit Chinyoung, who will resign Friday as head football coach/athletic coordinator at Willowridge High to take a coaching position with the Denver Broncos.
“To see the joy and excitement in his eyes … it hit me with something special how excited he was,” Chinyoung said.
It wasn’t long ago when R.J. used to confuse the logo of Westfield High School, Chinyoung’s alma mater and previous coaching stop, with that of the Broncos.
“I always told people my daddy coaches for an NFL team,” R.J. told his father on Thursday. “And now, today, now you do coach the Denver Broncos.”
“That, for me, is when it sunk in,” Chinyoung said.
Chinyoung, 33, will serve as quality control coach for the Broncos, specifically assisting offensive line coach Butch Berry. Some of Chinyoung’s responsibilities will include drawing run cards, running the scout team, and building relationships with young players to help them learn the systems of new head coach Nathaniel Hackett as easily and quickly as possible.
“Texas high school football teaches you to have a high expectation of success and standard,” said Chinyoung, who spent 2012-2019 coaching the offensive line and later being assistant head coach at Westfield before taking over Willowridge prior to the 2020 season. “Because of that, I walked into that (Broncos interview) with confidence. The level of competition out here is so strenuous and to another level to where it was another day at the office, as far as competing on the white board, competing to get your point across, competing to say that I feel I have the best idea and plan for kids to be successful. These kids now just so happen to be grown men. That’s the only difference.”
Broncos offensive coordinator Justin Outten, who worked with Chinyoung from 2012-2016 at Westfield when Outten was the offensive line coach and Chinyoung was the assistant, initially extended the opportunity for Chinyoung to interview with the Broncos 12 days ago.
“It has nothing to do with Denver and everything to do with relationships that were built prior,” Chinyoung said. “In life, you’re privy to work with people who are able to advance in their careers, and if you build quality relationships and do right by people, if you’re doing the best to be the best you can be, if the opportunity ever presents itself, then they’ll try their best to bring you along.”
Ramon Chinyoung.Randall Clark Photography
Chinyoung said the move was a no-brainer. But what he accomplished at Willowridge was admirable. He had helped install a culture of winning and success during his short time with the Eagles, going 11-8 and making the playoffs in 2020.
“My wife (Morgan) is a head volleyball coach (at Klein Oak),” Chinyoung said. “Her father was a coach of Texas high school football for 39 years. Her grandfather was a coach of Texas high school football and at Prairie View for 40 years. Coaching in my family is an expectation. There’s nothing higher in football than the National Football League, so of course I’m going to jump on that opportunity.”
Chinyoung will report to Denver on Monday morning. Morgan and their two kids will finish the school year in Houston before heading to Denver around the beginning of June.
Willowridge associate head coach Javid Milton will be the interim head coach for the Eagles.
“I’m so grateful, so thankful, so appreciative,” Chinyoung said. “Grateful for guys like Corby Meekins (tight ends coach at the University of Houston), who was my high school head football coach and gave me my first job in coaching. Appreciative of guys like Coach Javid Milton, who I’ve worked so closely with my entire coaching career. That’s my guy, and I wish him the best and I hope I’ve provided him with everything he needs to be successful as a Texas high school football coach.”
-Buy-in as a student-athlete \n-Give back & serve as a leader in your community\n-Major opportunities will present themselves!\n\nThat\u2019s how it\u2019s done! Incredibly proud & happy for @RChinyoung !\n\n#Mustang4life #MustangTurnedBronco\n\n@Meeks38 @joeagleason @MarcG14Line @Matt_Stepp817pic.twitter.com/mgF4XntXkO— Westfield Mustang Football (@Westfield Mustang Football) 1644539183
Sophomores maturing quickly for Willowridge
Willowridge is a workmanlike 3-1 this season, 3-0 in District 11-5A, Division II, and it is so largely because of admirable play from a trio of sophomores.
Receivers Travis Willis and Marxquise Hayes, and quarterback Blaize Covington are prominent figures for coach Ramon Chinyoung's Eagles. But, like the program they represent, they are in unique circumstances. They are not typical sophomores.
Because Willowridge's football program does not field sub-varsity teams, Hayes and Willis were varsity players as freshmen last year. Thrown into the fire, they were forced to adapt and learn on the fly. Fortunately, their growing pains were not void of success, as the Eagles finished 7-3 and made the playoffs.
This year, Hayes and Willis are leaders. Willis has caught 15 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns while also playing free safety. Hayes has caught eight passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns while collecting two interceptions at cornerback.
"Just striving for greatness and working hard," Willis said. "That's what this team is about."
The Eagles are young and resilient. Raw, but tough. Of the 33 active roster players, Chinyoung said about 26 are sophomores. Of the 22 starters, 19 play offense and defense.
Chinyoung said two things have been essential for the rapid maturity of Willis and Hayes.
One is conditioning.
"The first thing that happens when the body gets tired is the mind goes," Chinyoung said. "So, because of offseason, track, summer conditioning, their stamina is so much stronger to where their mind is able to stay focused on the goal and the task. That's the biggest piece."
The second is attitude.
Like any youngster, Hayes and Willis had preconceived notions of what they would be as a varsity player and where they would be playing. Once they relieved themselves of those ideals and accepted whatever was best for the team, each took a considerable step forward in the right direction, both for themselves and the Eagles.
"Last year, Marxquise was, 'Coach, I just play receiver.' This year, it's, 'Coach, I'll play whatever you need,'" Chinyoung said. "Travis Willis last year said, 'Coach, I want to play running back.' This year, 'Coach, where do you need me? I'll get it done.' That comes from the time and relationships being built."
Chinyoung praises Hayes for terrific ball skills and diligent work transitioning to cornerback in a short amount of time. Hayes attacks the football in the air and has great breakaway speed.
Fort Bend Willowridge || Week 4 Highlights || 3 REC , 105 YDS || 1 INT @MiltonJavid @RChinyoung @WillowridgeFB… https://t.co/jXN16j3pBw— 𝑀𝐴𝑅𝑋𝑄𝑈𝐼𝑆𝐸 𝐻𝐴𝑌𝐸𝑆 ✞ (@𝑀𝐴𝑅𝑋𝑄𝑈𝐼𝑆𝐸 𝐻𝐴𝑌𝐸𝑆 ✞) 1632794895.0
"Once he sticks his foot and gets vertical, you look up and he's beat you over the top," Chinyoung said.
Hayes said he's better this season firing off the ball, creating separation, and catching and securing the ball.
"I know way more now that I wish I knew (as a freshman)," Hayes said. "That's showing on the field."
Willis is a different type of dynamic, Chinyoung said. In his first year playing receiver, Willis leads the team in catches and yards.
"Mentally and physically, I'm better. Stronger," Willis said. "My execution and work ethic are way better than last year. I'm learning every day. Whether it's catching the ball, working, and running routes, I'm getting better with each game."
Fort bend Willowridge high school WR/FS co 24’ #stayhumble ✝️ @WillowridgeFB https://t.co/m3LQmZJdNm— Travis willis ✝️ (@Travis willis ✝️) 1632587473.0
Covington is new to Willowridge, but because of his impressive leadership skills, he has quickly assumed ownership of the offense and is an extension of Chinyoung on the field.
Covington, who also brings physicality to the position at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, has completed 31 of 60 passes for 450 yards and six touchdowns to four interceptions. He has quickly earned the respect of teammates and coaches for his work ethic and positive nature.
"The first day he stepped foot at Willowridge High School, all he did was clap, motivate and hustle with a sense of urgency," Chinyoung said. "Over time, his teammates were able to see that he means business. He has the composure needed for a football team to be successful."
@WillowridgeFB @RChinyoung @Willowridge_HS Check out my highlight - https://t.co/A0VFPuETgi— Blaize X Covington (@Blaize X Covington) 1632710928.0
The Eagles are ahead of schedule in Chinyoung's second year at the helm. They have a long way to go—the 2020 season was essentially a wash because of a lack of spring ball and preseason due to COVID-19—but the process is being worked off the field as the team wins on it.
Willowridge's only loss so far is to Class 6A Fort Bend Dulles in the season-opener. Since then, the Eagles shut out Northside 57-0, beat Waltrip 22-10 and nudged Sharpstown, 21-20, in overtime.
"We're all young," Hayes said. "The more we play together, the better we'll become. Time will tell."