Coaches & Staff

Coach Philip G. Lovato Jr. is entering his 11th year at Highland High School and has coached for 32 total seasons. A Highland graduate and lifelong Hornet, he has coached football and multiple other sports at the youth, high school, and college levels.

Coaching Experience
Years at Highland: 11
Total Seasons Coaching: 32
Current Role: Head Football Coach
Previous Coaching Experience:
La Cueva High School
Cibola High School
Valley High School
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
YAFL

Has also coached:
Track and field
Wrestling
Soccer
Positions Coached: “All of them!”

Playing & Education
High School: Highland High School
College: University of New Mexico
Degree: Bachelor’s degree

High School Sports:
Football
Wrestling
Track and field

Football Positions Played:
Offensive center
Defensive line
Linebacker

Why Highland?
“My alma mater! I’ve been a Hornet since I first moved to Albuquerque in the early ’80s. The opportunity opened, so I had to put in for the job.”

Coaching Philosophy
“Community, school, football!”
Coach Lovato focuses on developing each student-athlete’s independence, accountability, and ability to advocate for themselves. His goal is to build young people through football while strengthening the connection between the team, the school, and the Highland community.

Coaching Accomplishments
Citizen of the Year — Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Nu Rho Chapter
District Coach of the Year
Assistant Coach of the Year
Herbie’s Heroes Award
Pay It Forward recipient
All-Star Head Coach
Two-time Team of the Year
Coached the fourth-ranked rushing defense in the nation, allowing an average of 26 yards per game
Coached a nationally ranked Top 10 team
Football clinic speaker
Championships & Playoff Success
19 state championships across football and track and field
62 district championships across football, wrestling, and track and field
22 playoff appearances

Athletes Coached
Coach Lovato has coached too many All-District and All-State athletes to count.
Notable players include:
Amiri Mumba — Highland High School
Indiana Jones — Cibola High School
Seth Mello — Valley High School
Aaron Lewis — La Cueva High School
Travis Dekker — La Cueva High School
Ronnie Daniels — La Cueva High School

He has coached numerous athletes who continued their football careers at the following levels:
Junior college
NAIA
NCAA Division III
NCAA Division II
NCAA Division I
Those athletes include one national champion, along with future NFL and MLB players and an Olympian.

Other Notable Achievements
Coach Lovato has coached athletes who earned or achieved:
Parade All-American honors
Four Gatorade Athlete of the Year awards
Under Armour All-America football honors
Six Albuquerque Journal Athlete of the Year awards
New Mexico’s single-season football rushing record
Back-to-back school rushing records
More than 25 state champion throwers in track and field
At least one Top 6 state finisher in 28 of 30 years

In powerlifting, he has coached:
One three-time state champion
Two two-time state champions
One one-time state champion
Fifteen Top 5 state finishers
Multiple state record holders

Favorite Football Memory
“There are too many to choose from. Every day is a favorite memory.”

Highlights & Influences
Favorite Football Teams:
Michigan — Go Blue!
San Francisco 49ers
Coaching Influences:
Coach Henry
Coach Martinez
Coach Sanchez
Coach Rozzell
Coach Enright
Coach Danner
And many others

Personal
Teaching Positions:
Special Education U.S. History
Government
Economics
Physical Education

Outside of Football: Watching his daughters compete in their sports
Hobbies and Interests:
Hunting
Shooting
Watching movies

Family:
Wife, Debbie
Daughters, Makayla, Sydney, and Riley
Dogs, Max and May

Fun Fact: He has the best Spotify playlists.
Something Players and Families May Not Know: “If I say, then everyone will know.”

Favorite Quotes & Mottos
“Work the problem!”
“More than football!”
“Sounds like that’s your favorite word!”
“Five 2s!”

Coach Mike Platt has coached at Highland High School for 14 years. A former center and defensive end, he brings experience coaching both the offensive and defensive lines. He also brings 10 years of youth football coaching experience from programs in Albuquerque, Los Angeles, and Virginia.

Coaching Experience
Years at Highland: 14
Submitted Total Coaching Experience: 14 years
Current Role: Assistant Coach
Positions Coached:
Offensive line
Defensive line
Youth Football Experience: 10 years
Youth Football Locations:
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Los Angeles, California
Virginia
Playing & Education
High School: Lakeland Regional High School, Wanaque, New Jersey
Playing Experience: High school football
Positions Played:
Center
Defensive end
United States Air Force Academy: Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology: Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering
Chapman University: Master of Business Administration
Old Dominion University: Master of Arts in Education
Why Highland?

“I can’t think of a better place to coach. We have great kids who want to learn football and a great staff that is all in for the kids.”

Coaching Philosophy

“Coaching is about helping take a kid to a higher level in the game, but it is even more about helping that student become a better person who is prepared to successfully serve their community.”

Coach Platt believes success in football should help prepare athletes for success beyond the field.

Coaching Highlights
Favorite Football Memory: Beating Valley in a comeback victory
All-District or All-State Players Coached: Not submitted
Other Notable Achievements: Not submitted
Highlights & Influences
Favorite Football Team: Air Force Falcons

Personal
Career: Math teacher
Hobbies and Interests:
Comic books
Home repair
Family: Proud father of eight children

Favorite Quote
“Everything is possible for the one who believes.”

Coach Owen Aguilar is entering his 10th season coaching football at Highland High School. He joined the program in 2017 and has spent his entire coaching career with the Hornets. Coach Aguilar currently serves as Highland’s offensive coordinator while also coaching the defensive backs and offensive line.

Aguilar is the creator of Highland’s WTF offensive system, an unpredictable and innovative attack built around Wing-T principles. His offense is known for out-of-the-box thinking, unconventional formations, misdirection, physical football, and constantly forcing defenses to prepare for something they have not seen before.

Coaching Experience
Years at Highland: 10
Total Coaching Experience: 10 years
Started at Highland: 2017
Current Roles:
Offensive Coordinator
Defensive Backs Coach
Offensive Line Coach
Previous Coaching Experience: Has spent his entire coaching career at Highland
Offensive Identity
Creator of the WTF offensive system
Built around traditional Wing-T principles
Known for:
Creative and unusual formations
Misdirection and deception
Physical downhill running
Out-of-the-box play design
Creating difficult preparation problems for opposing defenses
Finding ways to maximize the strengths of Highland’s athletes
Playing & Education
High School: Santa Fe Indian School
Positions Played:
Tight end
Linebacker
College: University of New Mexico
Degrees:
Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education
Associate degree in Culinary Arts
Coaching Highlights
Four playoff appearances
Coached approximately 30 All-District players
Coached five All-State players
Helped develop a unique offensive identity built specifically around Highland’s athletes
Highlights & Influences
Favorite Football Teams:
Minnesota Vikings
Notre Dame
University of Minnesota
Favorite Coaching Influence Outside of Football: Gregg Popovich
Popovich’s creativity, adaptability, and ability to build strong team cultures have influenced Aguilar’s approach to coaching.
Personal
Career: Special education biology teacher
Spouse: Jennifer Aguilar

Widely known as Snake Eyes. Coach Johnson has coached since the dawn of football.
Coach has coached 25+ years in California, Kentucky, Alabama, and New Mexico.
Coach Johnson played offensive and defensive back for Sandia High School
He won a state championship in 1976.
Coaches favorite football memory is winning the state championship
Married with 4 kids and 7 grandkids.

Coach Seth Platt is a 2016 Highland High School graduate, former Hornet defensive end, teacher, and multi-sport coach. He began coaching in 2018, and all six years of his football coaching experience have been at Highland.

Coaching Experience
Football Coaching Experience: 6 years, all at Highland
Current Football Role: Co-Defensive Coordinator
Head Coach: Highland Girls Tennis
Head Coach: Highland Boys Powerlifting
Teaching Role: Language Arts teacher at Highland
Playing & Education
Highland High School: Class of 2016
Football Position: Defensive End
College: University of New Mexico
Degree: Language Arts Education
Why Highland?

“I love Highland because it is a place where students are free and encouraged to be the best version of themselves.”

Eight of Coach Platt’s siblings also attended Highland.
He returned to Highland to teach and coach in the community that helped shape him.
Coaching Philosophy

“Coaching is teaching.”

Believes coaching should help athletes learn, think, adapt, compete, and grow.
Wants athletes to understand what they are doing and why they are doing it.
Highlights & Influences
Favorite Football Memory: Defeating Mayfield to earn Highland’s first playoff victory in 10 years
Coaching Influence: Daniel Peterson, author of The Playmaker’s Decision
Peterson’s emphasis on athlete decision-making and understanding aligns with Coach Platt’s belief that coaching is a form of teaching.
Personal
Favorite Team: Cleveland Browns—sadly

Coach Marco Antonio Ortega is a 1997 Highland High School graduate and lifelong member of the Highland community. He is in his 10th year coaching at Highland and brings 27 years of total coaching experience, including 14 years at the high school level.

Coaching Experience
Total Coaching Experience: 27 years
High School Coaching Experience: 14 years
Highland Coaching Experience: 10 years
Current Football Role: Offensive and Defensive Line Coach
Albuquerque High Football: Offensive and Defensive Line Coach, 1999–2002
Highland Football: Assistant Coach, 2018–2021 and 2025–2026
Highland Track and Field: Assistant Throws Coach, 2018–2021
Boys and Girls Wrestling: Six years as an assistant coach, beginning in 2018
Boys and Girls Wrestling: Head Coach, 2022–present
Softball: Head Coach, 2021–present
Girls Flag Football: Head Coach, 2026
FCCLA: Advisor
NMAA: Four-time champion
Playing & Education
Highland High School: Class of 1997
Football Positions: Guard and Defensive End
College: Central New Mexico Community College
Why Highland?

“As a Highland graduate, I wanted to return to my school and coach the kids in my district. Athletics and Highland gave me opportunities in high school that shaped me into the coach I am today. I am a proud member of the Highland community, and I have lived in this district my entire life.”

Lifelong resident of the Highland district
Returned to serve the students in the community where he grew up
Three of his children are Highland graduates
Coaching Philosophy

“I try to provide a safe haven for kids. The ‘One Team, One Family’ motto shows that every kid matters and is capable of doing great things, no matter their background.”

Wants to give students the best possible high school experience and help them create great memories.
Teaches athletes to love the sports in which they participate.
Works to help mold the next generation of athletes and coaches.
Emphasizes hard work, commitment, and discipline as life skills.
Wants his athletes to know that he was once in their shoes.
Strives to be an adult in their lives who will always give them an opportunity to succeed.
Coaching Highlights
Two playoff seasons
Third place at State in girls wrestling
Two-time Girls Wrestling Regional Champions
Boys Wrestling District Champions
Boys Wrestling District Runner-Up
Four-time NMAA Champion
Highlights & Influences
Favorite Coaching Memory: Coaching his son Andres in the sport he grew up playing and helping turn the program around
Coaching Influence: Gary Sanchez

“Gary Sanchez was very patient with me as a player and student. He knew I was a troubled high school kid, but he did not judge me.”

Coach Sanchez’s patience and support continue to influence how Coach Ortega works with his own students and athletes.

Personal
Retired from the Bernalillo County Youth Services Center
Former Youth Program Officer II
Currently works as an APS educational assistant
Collects and restores several classic cars and trucks
Proud father of six:
Marco Jr. — 28
Davery — 26
Andres — 24
Yammile — 21
Myra — 20
Christian — 3
Three of his children graduated from Highland
Favorite Team: Raiders

Coach Kale King has coached high school football at Highland for six years. A former All-State center and college lineman, he brings extensive playing experience and a strong focus on fundamentals and technique to the Highland Football program.

Coaching Experience
Years at Highland: 6
Total High School Coaching Experience: 6 years
Current Role: Line Coach
All six years of his high school coaching experience have been at Highland.
Playing & Education
High School: Eldorado High School, Class of 1984
High School Honors:
All-City Center
All-District Center
All-State Center
College: Eastern New Mexico University
College Playing Experience: Offensive and defensive line
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology, 1989
Why Highland?

“I enjoy coaching kids who are eager to learn.”

Coaching Philosophy

“Good technique will win you a lot of battles.”

Coach King emphasizes strong fundamentals, physical play, and doing the small things correctly.

“Put your hand in the dirt, put a hat on a hat, and play the game.”

Coaching Highlights
Coached three offensive or defensive linemen who went on to play college football
Highlights & Influences
Favorite Football Memory: Playing both with and against athletes who went on to play in the NFL
Favorite Coaching Influence: Bill Kelly, who was the head coach at Eastern New Mexico University during Coach King’s freshman year
Personal
Career: Educational assistant at Highland High School
Hobbies and Interests:
Working outside
Golf
Family:
Wife, Nicole
Son, Drew
Daughter-in-law, Daniela
Granddaughter, Jules
Fun Fact: Sold cars for more than 20 years
Favorite Quote

“Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the mouth.”

Coach Grayson Frederich is entering his first season at Highland High School and his second year coaching football. A former wide receiver and defensive back, he brings playing experience at both the high school and college levels, along with previous experience coaching wide receivers and coordinating an offense.

Coaching Experience
Years at Highland: 1
Total Coaching Experience: 2 years
Current Roles:
Wide Receivers Coach
Defensive Backs Coach
Previous Coaching Experience:
Wide Receivers Coach at Sandia High School
C-Team Offensive Coordinator at Sandia High School
Playing & Education
High School: Sandia High School
Played varsity wide receiver during all four years of high school
College: McPherson College
Played defensive back at McPherson College
Currently attends Central New Mexico Community College
Why Highland?

“Highland is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself and to work together toward one goal.”

Coaching Philosophy

“I will push kids to give maximum effort every single time in order to teach mental toughness.”

Coach Frederich believes consistent effort develops the discipline and mental toughness athletes need both on and off the field.

Coaching Highlights
Coached four All-District wide receivers at Sandia High School
Highlights & Influences
Favorite Football Memory: During his senior season, Sandia defeated its rival for the first time in 15 years. Coach Frederich also caught a record-setting touchdown in the game.
Favorite Football Team: New York Giants
Favorite Coaching Influence: Sean McVay
Personal
Works as a cook while attending CNM
Enjoys playing video games and spending time with his girlfriend
Fun Fact: He is a huge rock music fan
Favorite Quote

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

Coach Dene Hagen has spent all 25 years of his coaching career at Highland High School. He currently serves as a varsity assistant, coaches the wide receivers and defensive backs, and leads Highland’s JV football team. His experience at Highland also includes 18 years coaching baseball and nine years as the head golf coach.

Coaching Experience
Years at Highland: 25
Total Coaching Experience: 25 years
Current Football Roles:
Varsity Assistant Coach
Wide Receivers Coach
Defensive Backs Coach
JV Head Coach
Baseball Experience: 18 years
Coached pitchers and every position in baseball
Golf Experience: 9 years as head coach
Currently coaches both golf and football at Highland
Playing & Education
High School: London High School in London, Ohio
Playing Experience: High school football
Positions Played:
Defensive end
Tight end
Fullback
Colleges Attended:
Technical Vocational Institute
University of New Mexico
As a high school player, his team won three district championships in four years.
Why Highland?

“I lived in the area and was coaching Little League when I was asked to coach Highland’s freshman baseball team. Coaching is a great vehicle for helping young people prepare for life. After coaching baseball, I moved into the head golf position, and I currently coach golf and the JV football team.”

Coaching Philosophy

“My goal is to prepare young people for life through sports and help them become all they can be through a gentle approach.”

Coach Hagen believes athletics should help students develop the confidence, character, and life skills they need beyond competition.

Coaching Highlights
2024 Girls Golf Coach of the Year
First place at the Moriarty Freshman Baseball Tournament
New Mexico State Mickey Mantle Baseball Champion
One state football playoff appearance
Coached numerous All-District and All-State athletes over the years
Favorite Football Memory

During Coach Hagen’s senior year, he forgot his jersey for the district championship game. His coach told him that, if he wanted to play, he would have to ask a younger player to give up his jersey.

Freshman Michael Stanley allowed Hagen to wear his jersey. Hagen had a great game, and Stanley’s name was repeatedly announced during the play-by-play and later appeared in the newspaper recap. A reporter eventually contacted Hagen and interviewed him about what had happened.

The team won both the game and the district championship.

Highlights & Influences
Favorite Football Teams:
Ohio State
Cincinnati Bengals
Favorite Coaching Influence: His high school coach, Bill Coneley
Personal Influence: His father, Delbert O. Hagen Sr.
Personal
Career: Special education math teacher for students in grades 9–12
Family:
Wife, Eva M. Hagen
Sons, Bert and Eric
Daughters-in-law, Shannon and Rose
Granddaughters, Kaia and Ava
Has three dogs who enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors with him
Hobbies and Interests:
Traveling
Fishing
Hiking
Camping
Visiting local museums
Exploring historic sites and old ghost towns
Fun Fact: He was born in Spain.
Favorite Motto

“Mind over matter! If you’re having a bad day, you have the ability to change it into a good day.”