Since retiring in late 2006, former Air Force football coach Fisher DeBerry has split much of his time between his grandkids and the kids
he tries to help through his foundation. The grandkids brought DeBerry and his wife, LuAnn, to Oklahoma, where they spend approximately half of each year. His foundation will bring him back to Colorado this week for a pair of events – Friday night’s Colorado Coaches for Charity Dinner at Invesco Field at Mile High and Saturday’s Fisher DeBerry Foundation 5K Run and Walk at Washburn Field. DeBerry served as the Falcons’ coach from 1984 to 2006 and compiled a 169-109-1 record. Since leaving, he has poured himself into his foundation and into other charitable work that includes numerous speaking engagements. “It’s a way to give back,” he said last week. “I think this is what God really wants me to do with my time.” DeBerry said he misses the competition of football along with the players and assistants with whom he coached. “But I don’t miss all the other stuff that coaches have to do,” he said. Still, DeBerry has plenty of football in his life. Spending falls in Oklahoma, he goes to a high school game every Friday, a college game (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Tulsa, typically) every Saturday, a junior varsity game Mondays and a junior high game Tuesdays. He also is one of 17 former coaches who casts a vote for The Sporting News’ “Legends Poll,” which ranks the top 25 teams in the country. “It keeps you involved in football,” DeBerry said.
He’ll be with a group of current coaches during Friday’s dinner. Troy Calhoun, DeBerry’s successor at Air Force, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins, Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild and Northern Colorado coach Scott Downing all will speak, along with DeBerry. Money raised at the event will go to the charities each coach has designated.