The NOCO Empire Team
Deshon Mayes
Founder & Director
Deshon Mayes, a native of the beautiful state of Colorado, spent his formative years in the Denver metropolitan area and attended Pomona High School. As a highly decorated multi-sport athlete, he earned a scholarship to Colorado State University. Coach Mayes was a CSU Ram from 2015-2018 and played Linebacker. Following the conclusion of his football career, Coach Mayes began coaching at various levels in both flag and tackle football. He is now the founder and director of the NOCO Empire, a non-profit organization that aims to empower young athletes to reach their full potential. Additionally, Coach Mayes is the founder and director of Evolve 5280, a youth sports training academy that is dedicated to helping players of all backgrounds, grades, and skill levels to develop the technical skills necessary to be successful both on and off the field. Coach Mayes is a devoted husband to his wife Amanda and a committed father of their three children.
Joe Anderson
Board Member & Defensive Coordinator
Joe was born and raised in Littleton Colorado and was a two sport athlete and state champion at Columbine High School. After graduating from Colorado State University in 2008, he has dedicated himself to being an impactful community member in Fort Collins, which he proudly calls home with his wife Molly and sons Rhodes and Emmitt. Joe has many years of coaching youth sports experience at several age and skill levels and has a passion for teaching and mentoring youth athletes to become better on and off the field. His favorite part about being a member of the Empire coaching staff and board is seeing first hand how a competitive and encouraging atmosphere can develop good, hard working kids that become better adults and community members in the future.
Eric Cooper
Board Member & O-Line / D-Line Coach
Eric has been wearing pads almost as long as he’s been walking. Starting his football career at 6 years old in Yorktown, with the Virginia for the York-Seaford Bulldogs, Eric has been in the trenches as an offensive and defensive lineman his entire football career. Moving to Fort Collins in 1995, Eric was a four year starter at Fort Collins High School and played college football at the University of Nebraska-Kearney as an offensive tackle. A devoted husband and father of three children, Eric’s coaching experience includes six years coaching at Fort Collins High School, including two Final Four runs, and is a proud member of a strong coaching legacy with his father, Tom, a 20+ year Colorado High School coach and his brother, Jon, currently coaching Tight Ends at Mississippi State University.
Tim Ehlers
QB Specialist & DB Coach
Meet Coach Tim Ehlers, NOCO Empire youth skill development coach. As a Colorado State University graduate and a Fort Collins native, football has been a lifelong passion of Tim's. The son of 30 year Colorado State Rams Football Coach, Tom Ehlers, Coach Tim has spent a majority of his life around high level football. That expieriance allowed him to accumulate a wealth of knowledge that has only deepened his love for the sport. Coach Tim is a NOCO Empire assistant coach and QB specialist dedicated to teaching the game the right way, ensuring that every Empire athlete receives the highest level of care, instruction and preparation.
Rob Awuganyi
DB & WR Specialist
Meet Coach Rob Awuganyi, a native of Burbank, California. As a stellar multi-sport high school athlete, Coach Rob always had a passion for football and speed training. Following high school Coach Rob played college football at Colorado State, where he was a 2-year starter on both sides of the ball. When he finished his football career he discovered his calling in coaching. Since then, he's dedicated himself to coaching and training young NOCO athletes to be the best they can be.
Marvin Kinsey Jr.
RB Coach & Speed Specialist
Coach Marvin Kinsey Jr. is originally from Sandy Springs, Georgia, and was a standout multi-sport athlete. Following a successful high school career Coach Kinsey earned a scholarship and continued his football career as a 3-year starter at Colorado State University. Coach Marvin is one of the most decorated true freshman Running backs in Colorado State History. He followed up his career with the Rams with a short professional career. He's since devoted his life to coaching young athletes in Northern Colorado and is known for his ability to develop players into their best selves. Coach Marvin is now a local NOCO teacher, track coach, skills trainer, and speed coach.
