New Cimarron football coach hopes to continue program’s winning ways

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Friday, May 13, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

New Cimarron-Memorial High football coach John Parcells is no stranger to the program.

Parcells did his student teaching at Cimarron in 2002 and has been part of the Spartans’ coaching staff the last five years, most recently as defensive coordinator. He was promoted in late April to replace Rod Vollan, who retired.

“It’s an honor for me to get this job,” Parcells said. “The tradition and history of this program is one of the top in the state. To just be the guy who follows (former coaches) Greg Spencer, Ron Smeltzer and Vollan is special. To coach with them and learn from them was huge for my development.”

Spencer started the program when the school opened in 1991, leading it to three straight state championship games from 1997 to 1999 and a pair of state titles. Smeltzer was previously a head coach in the Canadian Football League and Spencer’s right-hand man during the glory years, before taking over the program. Vollan coached the last three years.

“I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it wasn’t for them,” Parcells said.

Parcells was also an assistant at The Meadows from 1996 to 2001, when the 2A classification private school captured five consecutive state titles and won 41 straight games.

“That’s a pretty good run. We had a lot of fun,” he said.

Parcells won’t change much with the program at Cimarron, especially its offensive strategy of running the football.

“Our power running attack is what made this school famous,” he said.

In other news out of Cimarron, running back Christian Brown has signed with Bethel College in Kansas, a NAIA school.

“That is a really good fit for him,” Parcells said. “They want him to come in and play right away at tailback.”