Tim Daggett has experienced a slew of success as The Classical Academy’s track and field coach.

But recently, Daggett faced a struggle.

Should he reveal that the National High School Athletic Coaches Association named him a finalist for national coach of the year in boys track and field?

Daggett will learn if he’s won the award on June 26 in Bismarck, North Dakota, at the Bismarck Hotel and Convention Center during the National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet.

“When I found out, other than my wife, I didn’t tell anybody for a long time,” Daggett said. “It coincided with a couple of mid-week snowstorms where I spent a long time shoveling the track and contemplating if I should tell people. I don’t want this to be something I’m prideful or arrogant about. I want to be humble and thankful.

“Then I realized it was a great opportunity to praise my staff. I have such an amazing staff who have been with me for a long time and I can’t do this without them.”

Daggett, who has spent 21 years at the helm of TCA’s track and field program, is one of eight coaches in the boys track and field category and the Titans coach is the lone Colorado representative.

During his 21-year stint at TCA, Daggett has helped lead both the boys and girls track and field teams to numerous state crowns.

The boys' team earned back-to-back titles from 2009-2010 and won three consecutive championships from 2012-14 and, last season, the Titans boys won state.

The Titans boys team also has five runners-up trophies, which came in 2015, 2017-18 and 2021-22.

Although the nomination is for boys track and field, Daggett has also helped coach the girls' team to 11 titles, including seven championships from 2010-2018.

“We’ve had a lot of success in track and field, but I tell my coaches and athletes that we don’t chase championships, we chase doing things the right way,” Daggett said. “If the success happens, we want that to be a benefit of doing things the right way and developing kids.”

Matthew Norton, who coaches cross-country and distance events at The Classical Academy, said Daggett’s approach allows adults and athletes to thrive.

Norton, who has 15 years of experience as a head coach, said he watches Daggett work with kids – from novice to blue chips – and ensures everyone has an opportunity to grow.

Norton added that Daggett expects coaches to focus on “being energy givers instead of energy takers.”

“He gives all of us a lot of autonomy to run our event groups the way we see fit,” Norton said. “He has several coaches who have been with him for a long time, and so he's always asking for input and ideas. I was thankful he was so open-minded when I approached him about hosting a varsity meet on campus. And he is great at praising his coaches and letting them know he values us and appreciates what we do. And the kids pick up on that, which creates more buy-in.”

Matthew Edwards, TCA boys distance runner, said Daggett preaches the importance of family and harps on supporting teammates.

“At the beginning of almost every practice he starts us off before we break into groups by chanting, ‘Who do we run, jump, hurdle, throw, and vault for?’ And the answer is, “Each Other!’” Edwards said. “That’s who we are as a team. We are a family because of him.”

Edwards, who will compete for back-to-back 3,200-meter titles this season, said Daggett creates “a very competitive but healthy atmosphere” where athletes push one another, but also learn to support their teammates.

“All the event groups interact with one another, which is not very common,” Edwards said. “It is because of his leadership alongside the other event coaches’ cooperation that the team can be a family and compete for each other.”

That’s the environment Daggett hoped to create as he ventured into coaching 21 years ago and said he’s grateful to see it come to fruition.

While Daggett appreciates the individual recognition, he’s cognizant that his nomination and the potential award reflect his athletes’ and coaches’ efforts.

“I don’t want any of the success to change why I do this and I don’t think it has,” Daggett said. “I don’t need recognition, I would happily do it and never win anything, but I won’t say it’s not enjoyable to be recognized. If I win it, I’ll be sitting at a table next to my wife and kids and they’ll be excited. You do this for others. That’s what this is all about.”