The American Football Coaches Association and the American Football Coaches Foundation are celebrating legendary Limon High School (Colorado) head football coach Mike O’Dwyer. At its 2025 AFCA Convetion in Charlotte, North Carolina, O’Dwyer was named the winner of the 2024 AFCA/AFCF Power of Influence Award.
The Power of Influence Award was created as a way for the AFCA® and AFCF® to honor deserving high school football coaches. Coaches who receive this award are recognized for their impact on their team, as well as the legacy they leave with the school and surrounding community. This award is not based on wins and losses; however, it should be noted that coaches of powerful influence have longevity and success. The winners are selected by members of the AFCF Board of Directors.
O’Dwyer has spent 40 years at the school, the last 23 as the program’s head coach. His record during that time is 229-39 with eight state championships and two runner-up finishes. From 2003 to 2006, Limon won a state record 50 straight games.
“In my 40 years of coaching, if I had any power of influence, it will not be measured in wins and losses but in the next five, 10 or 20 years,” said O’Dwyer on AFCA.com. “Did my coaching influence my players to become successful husbands, successful fathers and successful leaders in their communities?”
“Known for his ability to make a lasting impact on his players, O’Dwyer teaches life lessons that extend beyond the football field, guiding his athletes to succeed not only in the classroom but in all areas of life. His dedication to his family, friends, community, and business ventures is well recognized. A respected member of the Limon community, O’Dwyer also serves on the local bank’s board, runs his own successful insurance company, and has been a member and past president of the Rotary Club for 34 years. His unwavering commitment to his players and the Limon community has fostered a deep sense of loyalty and respect, reflected in the success of his teams and the numerous accolades he has earned over the years.” – From AFCA
2024 AFCA/AFCF Regional Power of Influence Award winners were: Region 1: Dave Hearn, Delmar (Del.) High School; Region 2: Roosevelt Nelson, Crestwood (S.C.) High School; Region 3: Tim Goodwin, Marion Local (Ohio) High School; Region 4: Mike O’Dwyer, Limon (Colo.) High School; and Region 5: Steve Pyne, Central Catholic (Ore.) High School.
Past Power of Influence Award winners include: Larry Dippel, Amarillo (Tex.) H.S. (2002); John McKissick, Summerville (S.C.) H.S. (2003); Marcus Borden, East Brunswick (N.J.) H.S. (2004); Ron Stolski, Brainerd (Minn.) H.S. (2005); Sid Otton, Tumwater (Wash.) H.S. (2006); Rob Younger, Sweet Home (Ore.) H.S. (2007); George Smith, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) H.S. (2008); Jim Drewry, Booneville (Miss.) H.S. (2009); Brent Steuerwald, Shenendehowa (N.Y.) H.S. (2010); Noel Dean, Lowell (Mich.) H.S. (2011); Andy Lowry, Columbine (Colo.) H.S. (2012); Bob Burt, Cypress (Calif.) H.S. (2013); Ott Hurrle, Scecina Memorial (Ind.) H.S. (2014); Sam Harrell, Fort Worth Christian (Tex.) H.S. (2015); Tony DeMatteo, Somers (N.Y.) H.S. (2016); Allan Trimble, Jenks (Okla.) H.S. (2017); Rick Jones, Greenwood (Ark.) H.S. (2018); Dave Nelson, Minnetonka (Minn.) H.S. (2019); Don Smolyn, Lenape Valley Regional (N.J.) H.S. (2020); Bill Blankenship, Owasso (Okla.) H.S. (2021); Dwight Lundeen, Becker (Minn.) H.S. (2022) and Rodney Saulsberry, Whitehaven (Tenn.) H.S. (2023).
