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Retiring Colorado Coaching Legend Dick Katte 3 Wins Away From Perfect Season

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver Christian High School basketball coach Dick Katte is a Colorado legend. No high school coach in Colorado has won more games than Katte.

No Colorado high school coach is even close to Katte's record -- 873 wins and counting. Three more wins and he gets another state title. Three games are all he has left because he's going to retire at the end of the season.

Katte has roamed Denver Christian High School's hallways for half a century. He coaches in a building that bears his name and treats the students like family. He's used the same simple teaching rules he's always used.

It's never been about the wins for Katte, it's about doing things right.

"I've always tried to give young men something they can live with and take with them," Katte said. "I've always said, 'Play hard, do your best, and leave the rest to God.' "

This year's team, Katte's 48th team at Denver Christian, embodies everything he's always wanted out of a team. That's why he's decided the time to retire is now.

"This team is probably the thing that kind of confirmed it in my mind because they played better the way I coach than any team I've had," he said.

Dick Katte
Dick Katte during the 2011-2012 season (credit: CBS)

CBS4 was on hand for Katte's final game in his home gym. It was Denver Christian versus Resurrection Christian, and yet another win for Katte's Crusaders.

"He's my mentor. He is Denver coaching. And what he means to me is a guy who never has compromised on his values and his mission," former assistant coach Ray Van Heukulem said.

"I had a brain aneurism in 1984, and I think this is how close I was; they called my kids home from college," Katte said. "I made a pretty good recovery and all of sudden into January my doctor says, 'I think you could go back to coaching, but I wouldn't because you've got a lousy team.' It's the only losing record we've ever had. I blame it on an aneurism."

Katte has produced seven state champion teams. He's coached his children and their children.

Dick Katte
Dick Katte after winning a state championship (credit: CBS)

"I was proud to play for Dick and my boys both got a chance to play for Dick. All three of us played in the state championship finals," CBS4 Chief Editor Steve Vriesman said. "That's pretty special. I don't think many families can say that they went to the state finals three times."

"That's what makes me feel good; because of the family atmosphere at Denver Christian," Katte said. "Those people who accuse of recruiting should know that I'm not smart enough to pick this up when they're in kindergarten."

Denver Christian will play in the 2-A state quarterfinals this week. They are three wins away from a perfect season.

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