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When John Wristen became HC at CSU Pueblo nobody in the DII football world took note of his arrival. Frankly, most folks didn’t know who he was or had ever heard of him. And nobody had ever heard of CSU Pueblo or knew what the hell a ThunderWolf was.
The RMAC at that time was a relatively weak football conference whose only noteworthy teams were Chadron State and Kearney. Some in the D2 world knew who Chadron was because of Harlan Hill winner Danny Woodhead. Chadron performed laudably in the playoffs, with Woodhead in the backfield, but usually lost earlyon. Realistically, RMAC teams were warmup games for programs looking to win a natty.
When he arrived in Pueblo, Wristen didn’t have the basic needs to run a football program; an office, uniforms, workout facility or stadium. The Denver Broncos donated old uniforms so players could have something to practice in. The only thing the university gave Wristen was a shoestring budget and desk in the university library. The Friends of Football (an amalgamation of former players and businessmen) provided resources the university couldn’t. They purchased land adjoining the east end of the campus awash in gullies, cacti and prairie dog mounds. They also gave in-kind donations and money to build the Thunderbowl stadium. While that was going on, Wristen focused on the team and recruited a ragtag group of walk-ons from Pueblo and surrounding area and held open tryouts and practices at Dutch Clark Stadium, Pueblo’s high school venue.
Wristen took players from wherever he could get them and didn’t easily turn many aspiring ballers. He welcomed two notable defectors from Adams State: QB Bobby Washington and DL Chase Vaughn. Both became leaders and impact players for Wristen’s new team. Wristen spent almost two years trying to assemble a team of kids simply wanting to play football at the college level.
On September 6, 2008, Wristen ran his team onto the Thunderbowl to face the Aggies of Oklahoma Panhandle State University. It was 68 degrees and the skies were clear; perfect weather for football. A large crowd of over 10, 000 spectators filled the stadium. Fans linked to CSUP both past and present were elated to see the return of college football to Pueblo. From outward appearances, Wristen looked cool and collected on the sidelines. Later he would admit that he was on pins and needles and completely unsure what was going to happen. He didn’t want his team to lay an egg in front of the large home crowd. CSUP came away with a hard fought 24 to 13 win and a fireworks celebration ensued behind the scoreboard on the north end of the field. Fans left the stadium happily and the Wristen era had begun.
Over the next two years he recruited tirelessly. CSUP’s 4-6 record during the 2008 season enabled him to bring quality recruits to Pueblo. Most however were not sought after by DI schools or even RMAC foes. Many didn’t fit the college football mold. They were either too small or too slow. Wristen, however, had a keen eye for talent. He recruited players like RB Jesse Lewis, OL Jonathan Jones and OL Ryan Jensen.
Jesse Lewis, 5’ 6” and around 165, was recruited out of Loveland and became a four-year All-RMAC selection. After graduating from CSUP, he became a member of the Raiffeissen Vikings Vienna American Football Club. He played on a team that posted a 15-0 record in the European Football League and the Austrian Football League as the squad combined to win both league titles.
Jonathan Jones, from Houston, played Offensive Center. He was 5’ 8” and weighed 215. Pound for pound, he may have been the best offensive center in all of DII football. He helped CSUP to its first win over West Texas A&M on September 1, 2011, in Canyon, Texas. He skillfully handled DL Simi Kulu, a 6’ 5” 280 pound defensive lineman, among others. Kulu was rated the top junior college prospect in the nation by several scouting bureaus before joining the Buffs. CSUP upset the WT 26-24. Jones became one of CSUP’s best centers ever.
Ryan Jensen was 6-2, 225 and completely ignored by DI schools when Wristen recruited him out of Fort Morgan HS. He became an immediate starter as a true freshman. Over the course of four years Jensen won several RMAC awards, national honors, and played in the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game following his senior season. He was taken by the Ravens in the sixth round and the 203rd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. On March 19, 2018, Jensen signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with $22 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid center in the NFL. He was named to the National Football Conference 2021 Pro Bowl roster after teaming with Tom Brady and winning the Super Bowl. On March 14, 2022, he signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension with the Buccaneers and is expected to return after a season ending injury last year.
Wristen coached CSUP for 15 years. During that time CSUP made seven appearances in NCAA Division II playoffs and won seven RMAC Championships. He led the T-Wolves to their first NCAA Division II Championship and won it only six years after restarting the program. No other coach in the RMAC has ever won a national championship at the DII level. He won seven conference titles in eight years from 2011 to 2018. He was names RMAC Coach of the Year from 2011 to 2015 and again in 2017. He finished with an overall record of 123-32, and 100-22 in conference.
Winning the 2014 DII National Championship was no easy feat. CSUP beat Minnesota State-Mankato 13-0. On the way to the natty CSUP beat Angelo State who had beaten Midwestern State and Texas Commerce in the Lone Star Conference playoffs. In the quarterfinals, CSUP beat Ohio Dominican who had beaten the Colorado School of Mines and Ferris State. CSUP then beat West Georgia in the semifinals who had beaten Delta State and Valdosta State. Minnesota Mankato, like CSUP got a bye in the first round, and beat Pittsburg State, Minnesota Duluth and Concord on the way to Kansas City. Although CSUP seemingly played a tougher schedule to get to the natty, Minnesota Mankato was the heavy favorite. Never before had a lowly RMAC team advanced that far in the DII playoffs. Wristen’s team took onlookers by surprise however. His defense had its way with the Minnesota Mankato offense. The T-Wolves shut down the vaunted Mankato offense limiting it to12 total first downs and 0 points and brought the national champion trophy to Pueblo.
During Wristen’s first year as HC, CSUP played Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction on Saturday October 11, 2008 and got soundly beaten. Senior QB Phil Vigil led the Mavs to a 26 to 3 victory. Vigil completed 15 of 27 passes and threw for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. It’s likely he and Wristen shook hands on the field on their way to respective locker rooms after the game. It’s highly unlikely however that either Vigil or Wristen imagined that their paths would cross again in Pueblo 15 years later. Neither could have imagined that Vigil would take the reins from Wristen and become CSUP’s next HC.
Vigil faces a daunting task as new coach of the Thunderwolves. He didn’t inherit a team on the decline; one he will have to rebuild from the ground up. He inherited a perennial winner; a team that expects to compete for an RMAC championship and advance to the national playoffs every year. Wristen may have recruited his strongest class ever his final years as CSUP HC. He recruited no less than three 247 three-star prospects and several two-star athletes. The roster is replete with talented redshirt freshmen. Wristen recruited athletes in his own mold; kids with character, morals and talent. Vigil inherits a team that consists of 52 lettermen including 17 starters; 6 on offense, 8 on defense and 3 on special teams. He inherits kids like redshirt freshman, WR Verlis Smith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh50-qTSQUM
Student athletes like Smith are the kind of players Phil Vigil will coach this season. Vigil appears to be a man of faith. He attended Faith Christian High School before playing QB at Colorado Mesa. On his twitter page he boldly states that he is a follower of Christ, husband, father and Head Football Coach at Colorado State University Pueblo. On June 15, 2019, he pinned the following quote, “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” “Amen!” to that.
Good luck Coach Vigil.
Go PACK !!!
The RMAC at that time was a relatively weak football conference whose only noteworthy teams were Chadron State and Kearney. Some in the D2 world knew who Chadron was because of Harlan Hill winner Danny Woodhead. Chadron performed laudably in the playoffs, with Woodhead in the backfield, but usually lost earlyon. Realistically, RMAC teams were warmup games for programs looking to win a natty.
When he arrived in Pueblo, Wristen didn’t have the basic needs to run a football program; an office, uniforms, workout facility or stadium. The Denver Broncos donated old uniforms so players could have something to practice in. The only thing the university gave Wristen was a shoestring budget and desk in the university library. The Friends of Football (an amalgamation of former players and businessmen) provided resources the university couldn’t. They purchased land adjoining the east end of the campus awash in gullies, cacti and prairie dog mounds. They also gave in-kind donations and money to build the Thunderbowl stadium. While that was going on, Wristen focused on the team and recruited a ragtag group of walk-ons from Pueblo and surrounding area and held open tryouts and practices at Dutch Clark Stadium, Pueblo’s high school venue.
Wristen took players from wherever he could get them and didn’t easily turn many aspiring ballers. He welcomed two notable defectors from Adams State: QB Bobby Washington and DL Chase Vaughn. Both became leaders and impact players for Wristen’s new team. Wristen spent almost two years trying to assemble a team of kids simply wanting to play football at the college level.
On September 6, 2008, Wristen ran his team onto the Thunderbowl to face the Aggies of Oklahoma Panhandle State University. It was 68 degrees and the skies were clear; perfect weather for football. A large crowd of over 10, 000 spectators filled the stadium. Fans linked to CSUP both past and present were elated to see the return of college football to Pueblo. From outward appearances, Wristen looked cool and collected on the sidelines. Later he would admit that he was on pins and needles and completely unsure what was going to happen. He didn’t want his team to lay an egg in front of the large home crowd. CSUP came away with a hard fought 24 to 13 win and a fireworks celebration ensued behind the scoreboard on the north end of the field. Fans left the stadium happily and the Wristen era had begun.
Over the next two years he recruited tirelessly. CSUP’s 4-6 record during the 2008 season enabled him to bring quality recruits to Pueblo. Most however were not sought after by DI schools or even RMAC foes. Many didn’t fit the college football mold. They were either too small or too slow. Wristen, however, had a keen eye for talent. He recruited players like RB Jesse Lewis, OL Jonathan Jones and OL Ryan Jensen.
Jesse Lewis, 5’ 6” and around 165, was recruited out of Loveland and became a four-year All-RMAC selection. After graduating from CSUP, he became a member of the Raiffeissen Vikings Vienna American Football Club. He played on a team that posted a 15-0 record in the European Football League and the Austrian Football League as the squad combined to win both league titles.
Jonathan Jones, from Houston, played Offensive Center. He was 5’ 8” and weighed 215. Pound for pound, he may have been the best offensive center in all of DII football. He helped CSUP to its first win over West Texas A&M on September 1, 2011, in Canyon, Texas. He skillfully handled DL Simi Kulu, a 6’ 5” 280 pound defensive lineman, among others. Kulu was rated the top junior college prospect in the nation by several scouting bureaus before joining the Buffs. CSUP upset the WT 26-24. Jones became one of CSUP’s best centers ever.
Ryan Jensen was 6-2, 225 and completely ignored by DI schools when Wristen recruited him out of Fort Morgan HS. He became an immediate starter as a true freshman. Over the course of four years Jensen won several RMAC awards, national honors, and played in the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game following his senior season. He was taken by the Ravens in the sixth round and the 203rd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. On March 19, 2018, Jensen signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with $22 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid center in the NFL. He was named to the National Football Conference 2021 Pro Bowl roster after teaming with Tom Brady and winning the Super Bowl. On March 14, 2022, he signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension with the Buccaneers and is expected to return after a season ending injury last year.
Wristen coached CSUP for 15 years. During that time CSUP made seven appearances in NCAA Division II playoffs and won seven RMAC Championships. He led the T-Wolves to their first NCAA Division II Championship and won it only six years after restarting the program. No other coach in the RMAC has ever won a national championship at the DII level. He won seven conference titles in eight years from 2011 to 2018. He was names RMAC Coach of the Year from 2011 to 2015 and again in 2017. He finished with an overall record of 123-32, and 100-22 in conference.
Winning the 2014 DII National Championship was no easy feat. CSUP beat Minnesota State-Mankato 13-0. On the way to the natty CSUP beat Angelo State who had beaten Midwestern State and Texas Commerce in the Lone Star Conference playoffs. In the quarterfinals, CSUP beat Ohio Dominican who had beaten the Colorado School of Mines and Ferris State. CSUP then beat West Georgia in the semifinals who had beaten Delta State and Valdosta State. Minnesota Mankato, like CSUP got a bye in the first round, and beat Pittsburg State, Minnesota Duluth and Concord on the way to Kansas City. Although CSUP seemingly played a tougher schedule to get to the natty, Minnesota Mankato was the heavy favorite. Never before had a lowly RMAC team advanced that far in the DII playoffs. Wristen’s team took onlookers by surprise however. His defense had its way with the Minnesota Mankato offense. The T-Wolves shut down the vaunted Mankato offense limiting it to12 total first downs and 0 points and brought the national champion trophy to Pueblo.
During Wristen’s first year as HC, CSUP played Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction on Saturday October 11, 2008 and got soundly beaten. Senior QB Phil Vigil led the Mavs to a 26 to 3 victory. Vigil completed 15 of 27 passes and threw for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns. It’s likely he and Wristen shook hands on the field on their way to respective locker rooms after the game. It’s highly unlikely however that either Vigil or Wristen imagined that their paths would cross again in Pueblo 15 years later. Neither could have imagined that Vigil would take the reins from Wristen and become CSUP’s next HC.
Vigil faces a daunting task as new coach of the Thunderwolves. He didn’t inherit a team on the decline; one he will have to rebuild from the ground up. He inherited a perennial winner; a team that expects to compete for an RMAC championship and advance to the national playoffs every year. Wristen may have recruited his strongest class ever his final years as CSUP HC. He recruited no less than three 247 three-star prospects and several two-star athletes. The roster is replete with talented redshirt freshmen. Wristen recruited athletes in his own mold; kids with character, morals and talent. Vigil inherits a team that consists of 52 lettermen including 17 starters; 6 on offense, 8 on defense and 3 on special teams. He inherits kids like redshirt freshman, WR Verlis Smith.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh50-qTSQUM
Student athletes like Smith are the kind of players Phil Vigil will coach this season. Vigil appears to be a man of faith. He attended Faith Christian High School before playing QB at Colorado Mesa. On his twitter page he boldly states that he is a follower of Christ, husband, father and Head Football Coach at Colorado State University Pueblo. On June 15, 2019, he pinned the following quote, “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” “Amen!” to that.
Good luck Coach Vigil.
Go PACK !!!
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