Cordell Public Schools has named Colby Love the 2024–2025 Coach of the Year, marking the first time the district has presented the award. Love, the Head Girls’ Basketball Coach and Girls’ Track Coach, was recognized for his leadership, commitment, and positive impact across multiple athletic programs.
Coach Love’s approach to coaching reaches far beyond the scoreboard. Known for his commitment to his students and athletes, Love has built a reputation as a coach who genuinely cares about his athletes, both on and off the field.
“I am truly honored to be named the Cordell Coach of the Year,” Love said. “This recognition means so much to me, and I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks.”
Love credited his athletes, saying, “First and foremost, I want to thank my athletes—this award belongs to you as much as it does to me. Your dedication, hard work, and heart are what drive our success. You are not only talented athletes but also incredible young people, and I’m grateful every day to be called your coach.”
He also acknowledged the Cordell community, administration, and supporters behind the teams. “To the Cordell community, thank you for your constant support and encouragement. You’ve created an environment that uplifts and inspires, and I’m proud to be a part of it. To the administration, thank you for your trust and belief in our program. And to the fans—your energy fuels us, and your presence reminds us that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.”
To understand the true reach of Coach Love’s impact, ask the athletes who train under his guidance.
“Thanks to Coach Love, I’ve not only grown as a basketball player, but also as a person. He has taught me so much in just the last two years. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here,” said Emma Holman.
Tralynn White shared, “Coach Love definitely goes above and beyond for my team and me. He does even the littlest things to help us win. I know that I could not be the player I am today without him. He encouraged me to go to the gym and work on my shot. After every game, I asked what I was doing wrong, and he would tell me so I could fix it. He helped me out on my defense. Sometimes he is hard on us, but we know that it is only because he knows we are better than that. My team and I definitely appreciate all of the hard work and effort he puts into basketball.”
Senior McKinsey Gray reflected on her final season under Coach Love, “He’s very passionate and dedicated to the team. It’s been a rough year, but he got us through it. I know that if I ever needed anything, even now, he would be the one I could call no matter what. He’s probably one of the best coaches I’ve ever had.”
She laughed and added, “He loves the team, probably more than the team loves him.”
Gray also shared a memory from her senior basketball season. During the Cordell Tournament championship, her mom snuck a bucket of water into the locker room in anticipation of the win. “She set it in there during the fourth quarter while we were still on the court,” Gray said. “After the game, he already had a rain jacket on when he came in. I don’t know how he knew.”
Whether pacing the sideline, tracking run times, or dodging a bucket of water, Coach Love brings the hustle and humor to Cordell athletics.