Al Melo doesn’t want this to be about him.

When Harrison’s football team plays Sand Creek on Aug. 31, Melo will return to the sidelines as head coach following a four-year hiatus.

But he wants the focus to remain on the kids and athletes.

“This is their program and we want them to lead it,” Melo said. “The summer was great, the kids worked hard and we’re excited to see how it goes.”

Melo stepped down after the 2019 season and was replaced by Rob Leboeuf, who coached the Panthers for four years.

Although Melo, who will replace Leboeuf at the helm, continued to coach Harrison’s track and field team, stepping away from football allowed him to focus on his role as Harrison’s athletic director following the departure of Dave Hogan, former HSD2 district AD at Harrison.

Melo said he wanted to “put my stamp on some things.”

And he has.

Melo helped preplace the old, dilapidated tennis courts decorated with fading paint, cracks in the foundation and weeds sprouting through the ground.

He also helped with: Harrison’s black track with gray areas highlighting exchange zones for relays during track and field, Thorpe Gymnasium’s new court and bleachers inside the gym, the improved softball field and varying changes around the school.

“Our community did a great job of passing a bond that touched every building in our district,” Melo said. “You can never thank them enough for what happened and what we’ve gotten out of it. Dave Hogan and Randy Rocha were great with facility upgrades … . It’s been great to see it happen and great to see the kids respond to facility improvements.”

Harrison’s weight room also received new equipmen,t including medicine balls, dumbbells, weights, squat racks and more.

Motivational phrases spruce up the white walls in the room, but one, toward the back right corner, highlights Melo’s emphasis of focusing on the kids.

It reads, “Bad team, no one leads. Good teams, coaches lead, championship teams, players lead.”

“Melo is a great coach and a great role model,” said senior Mateen Saeed-Briggs. “Even when he wasn’t the head coach, he made sure kids got to practice and he made sure we got wherever we needed to. If we had job interviews or anything else, he’d help. He’s set that positive role model path for us.”

Players gave their thanks to Melo and the team’s football coaches throughout the summer, not with their words, but with action.

During a weight training session Aug. 7, more than 50 football players gathered in the room for their respective workouts – which doesn’t shock anyone on the team.

“We want to make sure we keep the positive energy this year,” junior Jeilo Hamenyimana said. “We want to keep everyone motivated and make sure that everyone can have their spot to shine, and Melo’s been a big part of that. He’s like another parent, but a coach. He’ll text to make sure everything is OK and to make sure we have a way to get to practice.”

Melo credited his success on and off the field to his wife, Nancy. And the two will celebrate 30 years of marriage later this month.

Nancy said she’s excited for Melo’s return to coaching and is prepared for the inevitable snide comments.

Ahead of the season, Nancy purchased a phone case and sweatshirt that reads, “My husband doesn’t care what play you think he should call.”

Nancy understands that a few don’t spoil the bunch and said she and Melo “love” the bonds they’ve built with coaches and families over the years.

“Harrison is a great community and a family,” Nancy said. “Lots of friendships are built there. Both of our daughters went there and played sports there, it’s a great community. Whether or not you play sports, it’s a great place to be.”